Revive the Archive: Gregory Gable’s “Songbird” (2014)

Revive the Archive is a weekly series that brings new eyes to previously published works. This week we look at “Songbird” by Gregory Gable. This piece was originally published in volume 20 of The York Review.

Sing your heart out, little songbird
Whistle the daily blues away
Fly free, little blue jay,
Don’t let the world hold you back.

Stones may fly your way,
Hunters may want your tail.
Dogs and cats may scream at you,
but your song of joy prevails.

Build a home, sweet cardinal,
For you are so fair.
Skipping to and fro in the air.

Home is where the wind blows,
and your beautiful colors call out in the day
and peacefully sing me to sleep at night.

Tweet without ever a care, little mockingbird
your mockery brings me bliss.
I close my eyes and dream to fly
with you, and sing gladly of this.

So many people may hate you,
but truly, they are just jealous.
It’s a mad, mad world out there,
but when you sing your song, sell it.

Tiny downy wings, and bright colored things
all collect in the skies.
Screech on a wing and a prayer,
or send out a scream if you dare,
But whenever you do, I’ll be there.
So sing, little songbird, sing; for I care.