For Every Bird An Empty Nest: A Knitted Nest To Make

Do you keep a close watch on the bird nests that spring up around your home? I do, and when I take a bird nest watch stroll around my house, I am immediately reminded of the Emily Dickinson’s poem, For Every Bird a Nest. For me, the poem is like a song that gets stuck in my head and triggered over and over again by the simple reminder of the nests. Here’s the poem:

For Every Bird a Nest

For every bird a nest
Wherefore in timid quest
Some little Wren goes seeking round

Wherefore when boughs are free
Households in every tree
Pilgrim be found?

Perhaps a home too high
Ah Aristocracy!
The little Wren desires

Perhaps of twig so fine
Of twine e’en superfine,
Her pride aspires

The Lark is not ashamed
To build upon the ground
Her modest house

Yet who of all the throng
Dancing around the sun
Does so rejoice?

Next: The Knitted Nest

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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Sue M.

7:03PM PDT on May 23, 2012

thanks

send a green star

Rebecca S.

12:09AM PDT on Oct 26, 2011

loved the poem

Fran F.

11:54PM PDT on Oct 25, 2011

That's a fine poem! I have never left yarn out for birds not being a knitter or weaver, but when I was doing yard work I would pull weeds and leave them on the ground to mulch. One hot, dry spring day a robin picked up some of the weeds to build a nest. I have never seen a look of more gratitude in my life than from that robin!

Linda J.

2:32PM PDT on Jun 9, 2011

Reading this made me so happy, thanks. I will be placing soft pieces of yarn around the trees at my home.

Aina T.

2:13AM PDT on May 5, 2011

A very nice poem and fabulous piece of arts&crafts - knitted nest. Love it! Thank you for sharing!

Diane V.

4:08PM PDT on Mar 28, 2011

Such a sweet poem. I place left over tid bits of my yarn in suet cases and place out for the birds to soften their nests.

KS G.

4:49AM PST on Mar 7, 2011

Thanks for the article.

Melissah C.

9:07PM PDT on Oct 5, 2010

Mrs M.

6:20PM PDT on Sep 17, 2010

It is suggested we make available string, tissue, and thin strands of material to help birds build nests. I've actually seen them take and use a tissue.

Lynn D.

2:09PM PDT on Sep 16, 2010

I used to knit and crochet bird nests, can't remembe where I sent them to, and the orphaned birds in this sanctuary loved them, love the poem and thanks for reminding us of our bird babies.....will have to dredge up where I sent them! Thank you!