A shimmering play of colors
Rend the cool, crisp autumn air,
As I slipped upon a pheasant
And caught him unaware. A brilliant, ringneck, motely bird
He flew with pennate grace,
To leave our copious field of corn
And find a safer place. Expeditious dogs and relentless men
Have filled his life with woe,
I had no malice in my heart
But how was he to know? I lionized his going
As he vanished from my sight,
To annihilate this pulchritude,
Would make the world less bright! | 
