The Cheerful Sparrow

B. and I visited Pensthorpe Natural Park again on our way to do our supermarket shop.  We enjoyed a warm and sunny walk around the park and along the River Wensum.  This little chap was chirping away in a tree next to the bench we sat on.  The sound of sparrows chattering is so uplifting, it's just sad that they are so much in decline.

The Sparrow
 
A LITTLE bird, with plumage brown,
Beside my window flutters down,
A moment chirps its little strain,
Then taps upon my window-pane,
And chirps again, and hops along,
To call my notice to its song;
But I work on, nor heed its lay,
Till, in neglect, it flies away.

So birds of peace and hope and love
Come fluttering earthward from above,
To settle on life's window-sills,
And ease our load of earthly ills;
But we, in traffic's rush and din
Too deep engaged to let them in,
With deadened heart and sense plod on,
Nor know our loss till they are gone
 
Paul Laurence Dunbar