I invited a bird to afternoon tea,
And she accepted most graciously
I’d love to my dear, sip tea with you here
In the shade of this beautiful tree
So upon the table I did place
A cloth of damask and finest lace
Wedgewood china would be the best
For this unusual, and special guest
A fork and spoon placed just here
And a butter knife with which to smear
The clotted cream that is so tasty
Upon a delicious form of pastry
A silver tea stand will display
A host of delicacies in wide array
Placed upon each tier with care
To tempt with such delicious fare
A knitted cozy on the Denby pot
Will keep the Earl Grey nice and hot
“One lump or two” I shall ask
“And would you like milk first or last”
My guest arrived at three o’clock
In a lovely feathered hat and frock
So delicately did it seem to fit
I thought at first I’d imagined it
The afternoon passed so pleasantly
As we sipped and chatted most amiably
And when the time had come to go
She said “My dear, I’ll miss you so”
And as I mused in this fanciful way
On all that came into my head that day
I thought to myself, well just for a lark
Next time, I think I’ll invite an aardvark