Seducing the Sparrow (poem)

By Sam Hamill

This article appeared in the November 20, 2000 edition of The Nation.

November 2, 2000

Why must the noble rose
bristle before it blooms, and why
must the frost declare
allegiance to the dew?

Don't tell me the robin's
forlorn invitation
could not be denied.
I've heard the magpie's lies.

Outside my window,
twenty-seven juncos
consort in a cedar tree,
fat and happy to be free

of all desire--ah, but
that's not true! See
how they dance and turn
when I throw out the seed.

Most Read

Issues »

Most Emailed

Issues »

Popular Topics

Blogs

» Campaign 08

McCain: "I admire Sen. Obama and his accomplishments." | GOP nominee tells his backers to back off. They respond by booing.
John Nichols

» The Beat

Troopergate Conclusion: Palin Abused Her Office | "I find that Governor Palin abused her power," writes investigator in a report released Friday night by GOP dominated Alaska Legislative Council.
John Nichols

» The Dreyfuss Report

Thirty Years' War in Afghanistan | It might be unwinnable -- or it just might take several decades. A sober look at that other war.
Robert Dreyfuss

» Editor's Cut

The Woman Greenspan, Rubin & Summers Silenced | How Brooksley Born might have helped us avert this financial meltdown
Katrina vanden Heuvel

» The Notion

Is the Second Superpower of the Cold War Going Down? | The Soviets were bankrupted by an Afghan War that wouldn’t end. Now, is it our turn?
Tom Engelhardt

» Capitolism

Expert Failure | How the elites failed us.
Christopher Hayes

» Act Now!

S. Dakota Goes After Choice (Again) | Meet the Rev. Steve Hickey. He believes that S. Dakota has been chosen by God to upend Roe v. Wade.
Peter Rothberg

» And Another Thing

Are You the Very Model of a Modern Vice-President? | Sarah's not the only one with a special skill.
Katha Pollitt