"for any ruffian of the sky"
            e. e. cummings
                p. 1963
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for any ruffian of the sky
your kingbird doesn't give a damn--
his royal warcry is I AM
and he's the soul of chivalry

in terror of whose furious beak
(as sweetly singing creatures know)
cringes the hugest heartless hawk
and veers the vast most crafty crow

your kingbird doesn't give a damn
for murderers of high estate
whose mongrel creed is Might Makes Right
--his royal warcry is I AM

true to his mate his chicks his friends
he loves because he cannot fear
(you see it in the way he stands
and looks and leaps upon the air)


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** contributory thanks to Margy Scott **

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