JOHN JAMES AUDUBON Stephen Vincent Bene't p. 1933 ================================== Some men live for warlike deeds, Some for women's words. John James Audubon Lived to look at birds. Pretty birds and funny birds, All our native fowl From the little cedar waxwing To the Great Horned Owl. Let the wind blow hot or cold, Let it rain or snow, Everywhere the birds went Audubon would go. Scrambling through a wilderness, Floating down a stream, All around America In a feathered dream. Thirty years of traveling, Pockets often bare, (Lucy Bakewell Audubon Patched them up with care). Followed grebe and meadowlark, Saw them sing and splash. (Lucy Bakewell Audubon Somehow raised the cash). Drew them all the way they lived In their habitats. (Lucy Bakewell Audubon Sometimes wondered "Cats?") Colored them and printed them In a giant book, "Birds of North America"-- All the world said, "Look!" Gave him medals and degrees, Called him noble names, --Lucy Bakewell Audubon Kissed her queer John James. ======== ========