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"