The Caged Skylark

As a dare and a sparrow or a caged skylark sings,
Yelling halt, I swear I feel warm droppings of their wings. Though as scatter candle and as many pieces bending back,
The sun is but bright noise, this ground is but black.

I hear it high slung on the rail where bound, wailing strong,
And in the untamed bush I feel their pull where sunlight throng. Watch out for their perfect circle, I feel a note locked in here—
An echo wild with a trite tongue when at last heard clear.

— Gerard Manley Hopkins

• Gerard Manley Hopkins