vermillion

the birds of northernesse
had gathered to sing a lay
in a dark tree near a torrent
where the nether world issues
a word they want
a word they need
a word for an array
there spashed on vision none
their marvellous mystic hues

vermillion said the eagle
the maker of all laws
and since twas he that said it
so by life it was

vermillion said the osprey
keeper of the flame
and he looked around for challenge
in hauteur and disdain

vermillion said the hawk
and none could give the nay
for his claws were long and sharp
and he would have his way

vermillion chimed the other ranks
the pheasant and the hen
the jackdaw and the cormorant
the peewit and the wren

vermillon sang they all
in a wondrous symphony
and their voices rolled throughout the land
from the mountains to the sea

red blood quaked the sparrow
his plumage modest brown
and the birds could no see him
for his station lay far down

red blood piped he again
grown stronger at the truth
and the birds faced reality
and reality was mute

red blood cried he at last
and they saw him crouching low
and they flew at him and raged at him
and struck a mighty blow

shaking the ancient tree
about its massive girth
they seized him and they bore him
and they crushed him to the earth

regaining lofty branches
they did as they were meant
and shook their ruffled feathers
and nodded in assent

a word they had a good word
of a million words abhorred
they would hold to it cling to it
vermillion they roared