The poem
It seems wrong that out of this bird, Black, bold, a suggestion of dark Places about it, there yet should come Such rich music, as though the notes' Ore were changed to a rare metal At one touch of that bright bill.
You have heard it often, alone at your desk In a green April, your mind drawn Away from its work by sweet disturbance Of the mild evening outside your room.
A slow singer, but loading each phrase With history's overtones, love, joy And grief learned by his dark tribe In other orchards and passed on Instinctively as they are now, But fresh always with new tears.
A very sweet and delightful poem.
It's strange, that from such an ugly, dark image of a blackbird comes such a beautiful piece of poetry. It's as if R.S.Thomas is speaking about a close, dependable friend, rather than a scavenger! Beautifully written - i particularly love the pensive tone of the first stanza.