Superb Fairy-wren (3/24)

PASSERIFORMES: Maluridae

Malurus cyaneus  

The Blue Wren

WHEN the Mighty Craftsman drew
Summer sky and summer sea--
Tints ethereally blue--
Here and there a small drop flew
From His brush, and fell on me.
Once a sober bird of brown;
Now, with my cerulean gem
Marking me for high renown,
Perkily i bear my crown
As a kingly diadem.

For who pays me fit respect
Full of friendliness am I--
Sprightly mite by heaven decked,
As a badge of His elect,
With a scrap of His great sky.
Out across the dew-wet lawn
Daintily I dance along,
And, as night's veil is withdrawn,
Valiantly greet the dawn
With a loud, full-throated song.

Azure cape and azure cap,
Borrowed from a sunny sky--
Here and there a glowing scrap--
I'm a most important chap;
Full of great affairs am I.
For no soaring flight I yearn;
But, with wife and brood complete,
Dance I in and out the fern,
Bow and pirouette and turn,
With my whole world at my feet.

The Blue Wren
by C J Dennis (1876-1938)
The Singing Garden (1935) p.161.

Taken at Cape Bruny on Bruny Island whilst looking for Dusky Robins.