I watched the bushes yellow
To look like living gold.
None chatted with its fellow,
Yet what a tale they told.
I saw the leaves a-budding,
And in each verdant shoot
The liquid life was flooding
So eloquently mute.
The sun above was shining.
It uttered not a sound.
A vine was toward it twining
In silence from the ground.
A cloud like cotton candy
In quiet seemed to sigh,
"Come drift today. It's dandy
Against the azure sky."
I strained my ears to listen
But didn't hear a word.
I wish some power might christen
What then to me occurred:
No voice is really needed
To speak in praise of God.
As though my thought was heeded,
I saw a daisy nod.
Margaret Rorke (1915-2000) wrote poetry that was regularly published on the editorial pages of The Saginaw News (2,824 different poems in all). From 1975 through 1990, approximately 400 of her poems were featured in Judd Arnett’s column in The Detroit Free Press, and her poetry appeared in countless other settings throughout her lifetime.
The digital edition of her 4,000 published poems as well as her three books of poetry have recently been added to the Library of Congress's collection of American poetry.
Download or print any poem from this website and email or send it to friends or family members. It will brighten their day!
Hang up a poem that inspires you somewhere in your home where you’ll see it often, and it will bring you joy every day!
Many of Margaret’s poems tickle the funny poem, and your children are sure to enjoy them. Make them a bedtime read!
Margaret Rorke published over 4,000 poems in her lifetime. If you are looking for a poem on a particular topic, please fill out the form here, and her daughter, Peg, and son, Bob, will be in touch with what they can find.