The Titmouse (-Ralph Waldo Emerson)

“Softly--but this way fate was pointing,
'Twas coming fast to such anointing,

When piped a tiny voice hard by,
Gay and polite, a cheerful cry,

Chic-chic-a-dee-dee! saucy note
Out of sound heart and merry throat,

As if it said, "Good day, good sir!
Fine afternoon, old passenger!

Happy to meet you in these places
Where January brings few faces."

(-from Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “The Titmouse”)