The speaker steps outside and meets a crow, who has a message for someone named Lesley. Her little bluebird, driven away by the cold north wind, has asked the crow to say goodbye. The message is full of gentle concern and playfulness: the bluebird says the bitter wind nearly froze him, but he promises to return in spring. He also tells Lesley to be good, wear her red hood, and go looking for skunk tracks in the snow with an axe—an odd, childlike bit of advice that feels like a game. The speaker seems amused and tender, passing along words meant to comfort Lesley while admitting the bird had to leave. The mood is wintry and whimsical, with a small ache underneath: the bluebird is gone for now, but the promise of spring and song keeps the goodbye light.
The Last Word of a Bluebird — Summary
As I went out a Crow In a low voice said ‘Oh, I was looking for you. How do you do? I just came to tell you To tell Lesley (will you?) That her little Bluebird Wanted me to bring word That the north wind last night That made the stars bright And made ice on the trough Almost made him cough His tail feathers off. He just had to fly! But he sent her Good-bye, And said to be good, And wear her red hood, And look for skunk tracks In the snow with an axe-- And do everything! And perhaps in the spring He would come back and sing.’