The Sparrow by Paul Laurence Dunbar

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The Sparrow by Paul Laurence Dunbar

A little bird, with plumage brown,
Beside my window flutters down,
A moment chirps its little strain,
Ten taps upon my window–pane,
And chirps again, and hops along,
To call my notice to its song;
But I work on, nor heed its lay,
Till, in neglect, it flies away.

So birds of peace and hope and love
Come fluttering earthward from above,
To settle on life’s window–sills,
And ease our load of earthly ills;
But we, in traffic’s rush and din
Too deep engaged to let them in,
With deadened heart and sense plod on,
Nor know our loss till they are gone.

This poem is in the public domain.

Paul Laurence Dunbar was one of the first African American poets to gain national recognition. He was born on June 27, 1872, in Dayton, Ohio. By the age of fourteen, Dunbar had poems published in the Dayton Herald. In his free time, he read the works of the Romantic poets, including John Keats and William Wordsworth, as well as the works of the American poets John Greenleaf Whittier and Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

The poem "The Sparrow" by Paul Laurence Dunbar is a short but powerful work that explores the themes of freedom, perseverance, and the power of dreams. The poem tells the story of a small sparrow that flutters down to the speaker's window and sings its song. The speaker is initially indifferent to the sparrow, but eventually comes to appreciate its simple beauty and its message of hope.

The sparrow in the poem serves as a symbol of hope and determination. Despite its small size and seemingly insignificant existence, the sparrow continues to sing and soar freely in the sky. This symbolizes the speaker's own ability to persevere in the face of adversity. The sparrow's song also represents the beauty and strength found in even the most humble and overlooked aspects of life.

The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on the sparrow's departure. The speaker realizes that they have missed out on the sparrow's message of hope by being too busy with their own affairs. This realization leads the speaker to vow to be more mindful of the simple pleasures in life and to appreciate the power of dreams.

The poem "The Sparrow" is a reminder that even the smallest things can have a big impact. The sparrow's song may seem insignificant, but it is enough to inspire the speaker to change their perspective on life. The poem also teaches us the importance of appreciating the simple things in life and of never giving up on our dreams.

Here are some additional thoughts on the thematic elements of the poem:

The theme of freedom: The sparrow's freedom to fly and sing is contrasted with the speaker's own sense of being trapped by their work and responsibilities. This contrast highlights the importance of freedom and the need to find ways to break free from our own limitations.

The theme of perseverance: The sparrow's determination to continue singing despite its small size and insignificant existence is an inspiration to the speaker. This teaches us that we should never give up on our dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem.

The theme of dreams: The sparrow's song represents the speaker's dreams for a better future. This teaches us that our dreams are powerful things that can help us to overcome challenges and achieve our goals.

Overall, "The Sparrow" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of freedom, perseverance, and the power of dreams. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.