Everyone Sang

Siegried Sassoon/Tedd Firth

2024

Everyone suddenly burst out singing;
And I was filled with such delight
As prisoned birds must find in freedom,
Winging wildly across the white
Orchards and dark-green fields;
On – on – and out of sight.
Everyone's voice was suddenly lifted;
And beauty came like the setting sun:
My heart was shaken with tears;
And horror drifted away … O, but everyone
Was a bird; and the song was wordless;
The singing will never be done.