Larry's Gallery:   Laughing Kookaburra (1/5)

CORACIIFORMES: Halcyonidae

Dacelo novaeguineae  

The Kookaburra

I AM cursed with a cackle whenever I tackle
A soulful and lilting refrain;
But a frivolous snicker, like some fool in liquor,
Is not what I seek to attain.
For I have, on the whole, quite a musical soul
Which I seek to express as I may.
And it's simply absurd to suppose that a bird,
Such as I, makes a laugh of his lay.

In early October I'm specially sober
And loaded with household affairs;
And myself and my wife lead no trivial life
That inclines us to laugh at our cares,
So, if you should suppose that our song is jocose,
You're entitled of course, to your views,
But to us, her and me, it's a sweet symphony
And inspired by our mutual muse.

When I soulfully sing in the bourgeoning spring
With true poetry bursting my heart,
It is hard if I seem to express in my theme
Some coarse phase of the comical art.
And yet, what's the good? Since I'm misunderstood
I'm content to submit to the wrong.
And tho' "Ock, ock, oo, hoo" may seem funny to you,
'Tis to me a delectable song.

The Kookaburra
by C J Dennis (1876-1938)
The Singing Garden (1935) p.77.