Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry.
Volume VII. Descriptive: Narrative. 1904. | | | | Descriptive Poems: II. Nature and Art | | The Cuckoo Clock | | Caroline Bowles Southey (1786–1854) |
| | From “The Birthday”
BUT chief—surpassing all—a cuckoo clock! | |
| That crowning wonder! miracle of art! | |
| How have I stood entranced uncounted minutes, | |
| With held-in breath, and eyes intently fixed | |
| On that small magic door, that when complete | 5 |
| The expiring hour—the irreversible— | |
| Flew open with a startling suddenness | |
| That, though expected, sent the rushing blood | |
| In mantling flushes o’er my upturned face; | |
| And as the bird, (that more than mortal fowl!) | 10 |
| With perfect mimicry of natural tone, | |
| Note after note exact Time’s message told, | |
| How my heart’s pulse kept time with the charmed voice! | |
| And when it ceased made simultaneous pause | |
| As the small door clapt to, and all was still. | 15 | | | |
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