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C J Dennis - The Little Black Cormorant
Work rating: Low

By inlet and islet and wide river reaches,
   By lake and lagoon I`m at home,
Yet oft` the far forests of blue-gum and beeches
   About the broad ranges I roam,
"There`s a strange, sombre bird with a hook in his beak."
`Tis the little black cormorant raiding your creek.
 
And woe to the fisher and woe to the fishes --
   A gourmand I freely confess
When I come a-searching for succulent dishes,
   Arrayed in my funeral dress,
Then the fishermen rave, and in anger they speak:
"There`s a little black cormorant coming up creek!"
 
But I`m quick and I`m cunning, as many a greyling,
   A blackfish, a trout or a bream
Has known to his sorrow when down I go sailing
   To hunt him beneath the dark stream.
To my cavernous maw then they all come alike,
And `tis death should the little black cormorant strike.
 
But I am an outlaw.  I`m hunted and harried,
   I`m banned from the havens of men.
And woe is to me if to long I have tarried --
   A shot o`er the waters -- and then,
There is reason indeed for my funeral dress,
For, alas, here`s a little black cormorant less.
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