Kansas Star

Poems of Childhood

Eugene Field 

With illustrations by Maxfield Parrish

The Dinkey-Bird

In an ocean, 'way out yonder

(As all sapient people know),

Is the land of Wonder-Wander, 

Whither children love to go;

It's their playing, romping, swinging,

That give great joy to me

While the Dinkey-Bird goes singing

In the amfalula tree!

There the gum-drops grow like cherries,

And taffy's thick as peas--

Caramels you pick like berries

When, and where, and how you please;

Big red sugar plums are clinging

To the cliffs beside that sea

Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing

In the amfalula tree.

So when children shout and scamper

And make merry all the day,

When there's naught to put a damper

To the ardor of their play;

When I hear their laughter ringing,

Them I'm sure as sure can be 

That the Dinkey-Bird is singing

In the amfalula tree.

For the Dinkey-Bird's bravuras

And staccatos are so sweet--

His roulades, appoggiaturas,

And robustos so complete,

That the youth of every nation--

Be they near or far away--

Have especial delectation

In that gladsome roundelay.

Their eyes grow bright and brighter

Their lungs begin to crow,

Their hearts get light and lighter,

And their cheeks are all aglow;

For an echo cometh bringing

The news to all and me,

That the Dinkey-Bird is singing

In the amfalula tree.

I'm sure you like to go there

To see your feathered friend--

And so many goodies grow there

You would like to comprehend!

Speed, little dreams, your winging

To that land across the sea

Where the Dinkey-Bird is singing

In the amfalula tree!