POEM

The Dipper

by Kathleen Jamie

Kathleen Jamie
It was winter, near freezing,   
I'd walked through a forest of firs   
when I saw issue out of the waterfall   
a solitary bird.   

It lit on a damp rock,   
and, as water swept stupidly on,   
wrung from its own throat   
supple, undammable song.   

It isn't mine to give.   
I can't coax this bird to my hand   
that knows the depth of the river   
yet sings of it on land.

This poem originally appeared in the June 2004 issue of Poetry.

June 2004 issue of Poetry Magazine

BUY THIS ISSUE »

Born in the west of Scotland, Kathleen Jamie studied philosophy at Edinburgh University. At 19 she . . . MORE »

Listen to the Audio

Related

More Nature Poems

More Rhymed Stanza Poems

Report a Problem