After a storm, the speaker takes a low path beneath wet, newly green branches, wanting to hear meadowlarks. She feels solitary but not lonely—“alone and high-hearted as if I were a queen”—as though the silver light and birdsong lift her above ordinary worries. The poem is a quiet declaration of fearlessness: because she has known a kiss in the night, the rush of creative joy when a song is born, and meadowlarks whistling in that same silver light, she feels she has nothing to fear in life or death. The mood is calm, bright, and quietly exalted. It is less about the birds themselves than about how certain moments of love, creativity, and natural beauty can make a person feel whole and safe.
Meadowlarks — Summary
In the silver light after a storm, Under dripping boughs of bright new green, I take the low path to hear the meadowlarks Alone and high-hearted as if I were a queen.
What have I to fear in life or death Who have known three things: the kiss in the night, The white flying joy when a song is born, And meadowlarks whistling in silver light.