THE WREN'S REQUIEM

 

THE WREN'S REQUIEM -A TRUE STORY

IT was on a morning early in the spring, a few years ago, that we heard an unusual twittering outside our bedroom window, above which is a deep thatch; on looking up we saw two curious festoons hanging from it, apparently in motion. It was, in fact, two half-circles composed of little wrens. clinging to each other by foot and wing, to the number of  twenty or thirty. They clung together thus for the space of about two minutes, it might be more or less; as we did not mark the time by a watch, I could not with certainty say how long. They twittered mourn fully all the while, so different from their usual joyous song; then suddenly, as if by one consent, they in a moment broke loose and flew away. On descending, shortly afterwards, we found a dead wren lying just under the window, over which these festoons of wrens had been hanging a few minutes before. It looked as if these affectionate little creatures had been singing a dirge over their dead friend below; at least we could think of no other cause for the unusual appearance. From that time the wrens deserted that spot for more than two years. On speaking of this to one who had made natural history his study, he told me that it was called the 'Wren's Requiem' and was an established fact, though very rarely seen.
 Chambers Journal 

References:

Chatterbox 1877

THE SAILOR

 

THE SAILOR - A POEM

by Mary L. Tenery 

I am a jolly sailor lad, 
I sail the deep blue sea 

I know more tales than Old Sin Bad 

Have farther sailed than he.

I sail afar the briny deep, 

To the rainbow's end I go; 

I sail all day and never sleep- 

Heave ho, my lads, Heave ho.

References:

1. The Kindergarten Primary Magazine 1919

2.Ladies Home Journal 1913 

BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES

BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES -A POEM

By Leila B Stockton 

Buttercups and daisies, pretty and so gay, 
Shining golden faces full of cheer alway, 

The raindrops only make you a thousand times more 

bright, 

Buttercups and daisies you are a winsome sight. 

(Cut) 

Cut Amid the tall green grasses, you nod to all Good-

 day, 

Mongst your petals gold and white, the breezes 

deftly play, 

The bees and butterflies delight, 

To hover o'er you on their flight,

And from the clear, blue sky above, 

The sun sends to you beams of love.  

References:

1. The Kindergarten Primary Magazine 1919

2. BUTTERCUPS AND DAISIES FOR LITTLE CHILDREN WITH ILLUSTRATIONS BY OSCAR PLETSCH PRINTED IN COLOURS BY LEIGHTON BROTHERS ADVOCATES LIBRARY DINBURG LONDON GEORGE ROUTLEDGE AND SONS THE BROADWAY LUDGATE NEW YORK 416 BROOME STREET 

AMERICA VICTORIOUS

 

AMERICA VICTORIOUS - A POEM

(For Memorial Day) 

By Leila B Stockton 

Over here our hearts were waiting 
For the tidings glad, of peace. 

Just to hear of warfare ended, 

Causing enmity to cease. 

Over here ,what joy o'er flowing, 

From our hearts in deep delight, 

When the victory we d longed for 

Came in glorious, shining might! 

Over here we all united 

In a heartfelt, thankful prayer, 

Praising God on High, Who helped us 

Gain our victory over there. 

Over here the people grieving 

For their boys in battle lost 

Knew in gaining world-war victory 

They had helped to pay the cost. 

Through the world may the Peace Angel 

Ever rule in soul of man, 

Blessing us, and all the nations 

As no other power can. 

References:

1. The Kindergarten Primary Magazine 1919

2. THOMAS JOHNSON MEMBER OF THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS FIRST GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF MARYLAND AND ASSOCIATE JUSTICE OF THE UNITED STATES SUPREME COURT BY EDWARD S DELAPLAINE THE LIFE OF FREDERICK H HITCHCOCK The Grafton Press NEW YORK MCMXXVII 

DECORATION DAY

 

DECORATION DAY 

by Celia Thaxter 

Here bring your purple and gold, 
Glory of color and scent! 

Scarlet of tulips bold, 

Buds blue as the firmament. 

Hushed is the sound of the fife 

And the bugle piping clear; 

The vivid and delicate life 

In the soul of the youthful year. 

We bring to the quiet dead 

A gentle and tempered grief; 

O'er the mounds so mute we shed 

The beauty of blossom and leaf. 

Rich fires of the gardens and meads, 

We kindle these hearts above! 

What splendor shall match their deeds? 

What sweetness can match our love? 

The History Of The Decoration Day

General John A Logan, commander in chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, in 1868 designated the thirtieth day of May as the day on which the graves of dead Union soldiers should be decorated, and this date is now universally observed throughout the Northern states. 

References:

1. The Kindergarten Primary Magazine  1919

2. The World Book Organized Knowledge In Story And Picture 1920

A Spring Day

 A Spring Day 

OH, Sweet Spring day! the sun is high, 
The white clouds float across the sky, 
And ,by the shepherd's cot, the sheep 
Lie where the shadows gently creep; 
The king-cups deck the field with gold, 
On every bough the leaves unfold, 
And joyful birds in every tree 
Sing of the Spring right merrily. 

Oh, sweet Spring day! the shepherd's child 
Hails joyfully the breezes mild; 
She loves the trees, the lambs, the flowers, 
The verdant fields, the sunlit hours; 
She feels new life in every limb; 
She hears the song-birds joyous hymn, 
And, like the feathered chorus, she 
Sings of the Spring right merrily. 

By C.J. BLAKE 

References:

CHATTERBOX  MAY 1903

Mother's Room

 

Mother's Room 

Mother's Room I wonder why it always is 
That Mother's room is best; 
And if we're sorry, sick, or sad, 
Her bed gives perfect rest.

We get our troubles mended like 

Each hole each rip and tear; 

There's comfort understanding for 

Our moods of dark despair.

Her room seems sunny all the time, 

Though weather may be gray. 

Of all the rooms in all the house 

It's there I want to stay. 

       by  Mary LT Tufts   

References:

1.PRIMARY EDUCATION-POPULAR EDUCATOR , April 1927

2. Table Talk 1885