Looking for a Sunset Bird in Winter + 

The west was getting out of gold, + 

The breath of air had died of cold, + 

When shoeing home across the white, + 

I thought I saw a bird alight. + 

In summer when I passed the place + 

I had to stop and lift my face; + 

A bird with an angelic gift + 

Was singing in it sweet and swift. + 

No bird was singing in it now. + 

A single leaf was on a bough, + 

And that was all there was to see + 

In going twice around the tree. + 

From my advantage on a hill + 

I judged that such a crystal chill + 

Was only adding frost to snow + 

As gilt to gold that wouldn’t show. + 

A brush had left a crooked stroke + 

Of what was either cloud or smoke + 

From north to south across the blue; + 

A piercing little star was through. + 