Voices of the Voiceless

THE fields were full of summer sound;
The lambs were gaily bleating;
Small birds were gossiping around,
Their joyful news repeating;
In tones vociferously clear,
Rooks chatted overhead.
“Sweet creatures! How I love to hear
Dumb animals,” she said.

And as they parleyed, each with each,
Their thoughts and fancies showing,
It seemed as if some flood of speech
This earth were overflowing;
Methought with every breath that moved
A gift of tongues was shed.
“How beautiful! I’ve always loved
Dumb animals,” she said.