Sarah, a young girl, had a famous poet named David as her neighbor. Every day, on her way to school, she would stop by the book box. David had added a special section at the back of the box where they could exchange letters and notes. Sarah would often leave poems for David to read, and he would reply with poems of his own, specially composed for her. He would also offer suggestions to help her improve her writing and would occasionally leave books he thought she might enjoy in the book box.

As Christmas approached, David surprised Sarah with an early gift. He had taken three used books—a thesaurus, a dictionary, and a rhyming dictionary—and bound them together as a set. He placed a note on them, saying, “For Sarah.” Excited and grateful, Sarah immediately set to work composing a poem to express her thanks.

However, Sarah’s inspiration often guided her, and as she walked home from school, something caught her attention. She saw a red robin, frozen and lifeless beside the road. Earlier in the year, she had seen robins and assumed they had all flown away to warmer climates. The sight of the robin struck her deeply, and she felt compelled to write about it.

She wrote the poem in her journal, which David had given her the previous fall.

Red, red robin the seasons are changing.

The leaves are through turning.

Soon the snow will be falling.

The air is now cooler, crisper, colder.

Take head to my warning

that winter is coming.

Fly away!

Red robin, red robin your brothers are calling.

The winter wind’s blowing.

With fever your burning.

The nights are cold

and colder there getting.

Red robin, it’s freezing.

Fly away!

Red, red robin why aren’t you leaving?

There is frost on your shoulder

and you do not fly away?

Now you are dying.

There is no returning.

Farewell red robin.

Your brothers are mourning .

Snow crystals to cover your grave.

Then she transcribed it onto a scrap of paper and placed it in her yellow folder. The next day, on her way to school, she left the poem in the book box for David. When she returned from school that day, she found that David had already replied. In his note, he expressed his admiration for her composition, acknowledging how well she had captured the essence of the poem.

“Dear Sarah,

The poem you wrote conveyed a sense of change and transition, focusing on the arrival of winter and its impact on nature, symbolized by the red robin. The repeated phrase “Fly away!” served as a warning or plea for the robin to seek shelter from the impending harsh conditions. The poem vividly described the changing seasons, from the turning leaves to the falling snow, and evoked a sense of curiosity and concern as to why the robin didn’t leave despite the frost on its shoulder.

The poem took a somber turn when it spoke of the robin’s demise and the mourning of its brothers. The closing line, “Snow crystals to cover your grave,” emphasized the finality and solitude of the robin’s passing. Overall, the poem effectively used nature imagery and personification to explore themes of mortality and loss, prompting reflection on the transient nature of life and the cyclical patterns of the natural world, I have to wonder though Why the Robin stayed.

Your Friend David”

Sarah’s poem inspired David, and a few days later, she found a cardboard box with her name on it under the little library book box. Inside, she discovered a note from David, explaining that he had used spare wood and paint from when he built the book box to make her a small yellow birdhouse. Along with the birdhouse, David had included a poem he had written specifically for Sarah. The poem celebrated the red robin’s resilience and bravery, and how its presence enriched nature. It spoke of the reason the Robin stayed so long and its unwavering spirit in the face of cold winds, reminding to stand true to their purpose, even when others seek comfort.

Red robin, red robin, a beacon of grace,

Your presence adorned nature’s embrace.

A steady companion so brave, so bold,

You shared your song, a memory to hold.

The winter winds howled, cold and unkind,

But you stood your ground, your spirit aligned.

While others sought warmth, you stayed true,

For you believed your purpose to pursue.

Now the snow falls, a blanket so pure,

As you take flight, your courage secure.

your memory remains, in whispers and songs,

A reminder to cherish, where love truly belongs.

In sorrow, we watch you flutter near no more,

but your essence lives on, forever to adore.

You taught us resilience, a lesson profound,

To stand for what’s right, even on frozen ground.

Red robin, red robin, your message profound,

To listen, to care, in each heart resound.

In the complexity of life, your song will endure,

A symbol of hope, steadfast and pure.

Sarah felt immense joy and gratitude upon receiving David’s heartfelt gift and poem. The little yellow birdhouse became a symbol of their shared love for birds and poetry. It served as a reminder of the beauty of nature and the connection they had formed through their exchange of letters and poems. Sarah cherished both the birdhouse and the poem, knowing that they would forever hold a special place in her heart.