The thrush deceives no one.
The curlew betrays no one.
The lark inspires no one.
Ravens never say never.
Nor does the yellowhammer
sing about bread or cheese
in the beggared hedgerow.
The stormcock’s no herald.
The terrace peacock isn’t proud.
The nightingale never ravishes.
Swallows in number
don’t make a summer
nor the wild goose skein
bring autumn again.