'A Cold Winter's Morning

The elms stand naked their brown leaves on the ground

On the gravel path by the winds scattered around

The overnight frost has left the park looking gray

Just after daybreak on a cold Winter's day.

The magpie on the blackwood tree seems brave to sing

He sings all year round though more often in Spring

But his voice sounds melodious at all times of year

And on a frosty morning so pleasant to hear.

The sparrows in the parkland are chirping away

In all sorts of weather they chirp through the day

Weavers classified as songbirds though that seems a bit wrong

Since sparrows as such they do not have a song.

A cold and frosty morning around zero degrees

The currawongs calling on the tall gum trees

Some say they sing their loudest prior to and during rain

And their currawong notes they repeat over and again.

A cold Winter's morning the park gray to white

Will green in the sun from the frost overnight

And the song of the magpie one cannot mistake

He sings on the blackwood just after daybreak.


Francis Duggan'