The wild duck startles like a sudden thought, <br />And heron slow as if it might be caught. <br />The flopping crows on weary wings go by <br />And grey beard jackdaws noising as they fly. <br />The crowds of starnels whizz and hurry by, <br />And darken like a clod the evening sky. <br />The larks like thunder rise and suthy round, <br />Then drop and nestle in the stubble ground. <br />The wild swan hurries hight and noises loud <br />With white neck peering to the evening clowd. <br />The weary rooks to distant woods are gone. <br />With lengths of tail the magpie winnows on <br />To neighbouring tree, and leaves the distant crow <br />While small birds nestle in the edge below.<br /><br />John Clare<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/autumn-birds/
