Little Birds are dining <br />Warily and well, <br />Hid in mossy cell: <br />Hid, I say, by waiters <br />Gorgeous in their gaiters - <br />I've a Tale to tell. <br /> <br />Little Birds are feeding <br />Justices with jam, <br />Rich in frizzled ham: <br />Rich, I say, in oysters <br />Haunting shady cloisters - <br />That is what I am. <br /> <br />Little Birds are teaching <br />Tigresses to smile, <br />Innocent of guile: <br />Smile, I say, not smirkle - <br />Mouth a semicircle, <br />That's the proper style! <br /> <br />Little Birds are sleeping <br />All among the pins, <br />Where the loser wins: <br />Where, I say, he sneezes <br />When and how he pleases - <br />So the Tale begins. <br /> <br />Little Birds are writing <br />Interesting books, <br />To be read by cooks: <br />Read, I say, not roasted - <br />Letterpress, when toasted, <br />Loses its good looks. <br /> <br />Little Birds are playing <br />Bagpipes on the shore, <br />Where the tourists snore: <br />"Thanks!" they cry. "'Tis thrilling! <br />Take, oh take this shilling! <br />Let us have no more!" <br /> <br />Little Birds are bathing <br />Crocodiles in cream, <br />Like a happy dream: <br />Like, but not so lasting - <br />Crocodiles, when fasting, <br />Are not all they seem! <br /> <br />Little Birds are choking <br />Baronets with bun, <br />Taught to fire a gun: <br />Taught, I say, to splinter <br />Salmon in the winter - <br />Merely for the fun. <br /> <br />Little Birds are hiding <br />Crimes in carpet-bags, <br />Blessed by happy stags: <br />Blessed, I say, though beaten - <br />Since our friends are eaten <br />When the memory flags. <br /> <br />Little Birds are tasting <br />Gratitude and gold, <br />Pale with sudden cold: <br />Pale, I say, and wrinkled - <br />When the bells have tinkled, <br />And the Tale is told.<br /><br />Lewis Carroll<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/little-birds/
