# The First Bird o' Spring explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Henry van Dyke Jr..

## What happens

The poet expresses a longing for the first bird of spring, set against the wintry landscape of Mount Shasta and the awakening signs of spring in April. The poem moves from anticipation to joy as a maid's singing becomes the first bird of spring.

## Themes in this chapter

### Nature and Divine Beauty

The poem celebrates the natural world—winter on Mount Shasta, spring's arrival, alders, maples, the McCloud River, and the first bird—as sources of beauty and renewal.

## Character check-ins

### Unknown

The speaker who longs for and then rejoices in the first bird of spring.

### Olive Wheeler

The dedicatee of the poem, addressed as 'my dear'.

## Key lines

> But, oh, my dear, I'm fain to hear The first bird o' Spring!

I am eager and longing to hear the first bird of spring.

_Expresses the central desire of the poem._

> Sweeter than a wood-thrush A maid begins to sing; And, oh, my dear, I'm glad to hear The first bird o' Spring!

A young woman's singing is even sweeter than a wood-thrush, and her song fulfills the poet's longing for the first bird of spring.

_The maid's song becomes the metaphorical first bird, bringing joy._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters/the-first-bird-o-spring
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_10_se/chapters