Classic Poem

She stood beside me while I gave an order for a bonnet.
She shuddered when I said, “And put a bright bird's wing upon it.”

A member of the Audubon Society was she;
And cutting were her comments made on worldly folks like me.

She spoke about the helpless birds we wickedly were harming;
She quoted the statistics, and they really were alarming;

She said God meant His little birds to sing in trees and skies;
And there was pathos in her voice, and tears were in her eyes.

“Oh, surely in this beauteous world you can find lovely things
Enough to trim your hats,” she said, “with out the dear birds' wings.”

I sat beside her that same day, in her own house at dinner,
Angelic being that she was to entertain a sinner!

Her well-appointed table groaned beneath the ample spread
Course followed appetizing course, and hunger sated fled;

But still my charming hostess urged, “Do have a reed-bird, dear,
They are so delicate and sweet at this time of the year.”