I went walking in the garden
Saw a little sparrow sitting on the arbor
She was singing, I was listening
It was more eternal grace than I could harbor
Saw a magpie, brave and so sly
Pilfering her bits of foil for the fodder
Saw a pelican, skate on the wind
Genuflect her silver wingtips to the water
Saw a black crow, steady as she goes
Glide beside her pretty witches in the autumn
Saw a starling, oh, my darling
Just because she's beautiful, don't mean you bother her
Saw the finches, sweet as peaches
Belly up like golden Easter eggs for barter
Saw a warbler, righteous martyr
Cracked her neck and spilled her blood upon the altar
Then a harpy, who looked just like me
Teeth of steel and razor talons for the slaughter
She said, smiling, "Don't be frightened
Where'd you think you'd go once you were no one's daughter?"
Then the heron, owl, and falcon
Tore me limb from limb and spread me thin as butter
Said the sparrow, flying backwards
"Mind what beckons you to tread into my garden"