THE WORDS OF PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR

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As part of the centennial remembering Dayton native Paul Laurence Dunbar's death on Feb. 9, 1906, the Dayton Daily News is publishing one of his poems each day this month.

PREPARATION

The little bird sits in the nest and sings A shy, soft song to the morning light; And it flutters a little and prunes its wings. The song is halting and poor and brief, And the fluttering wings scarce stir a leaf; But the note is a prelude to sweeter things, And the busy bill and the flutter slight Are proving the wings for a bolder flight!

From ‘Majors and Minors,’ 1895