Aprompt—executive bird is the jay by emily dickinson a prompt—executive bird is the jay— bold as a bailiff's1 hymn— brittle and brief in quality— warrant2 in every line— sitting a bough3 like a brigadier4 confident and straight— much is the mien5 of him in march as a magistrate6— legal officer legal action branch of a tree army officer (british) appearance judge i heard a bird sing by oliver herford i heard a bird sing in the dark of december. a magical thing and sweet to remember. "we are nearer to spring than we were in september,” i heard a bird sing in the dark of december. review the two poems. the topic is the same in both poems, but how are the themes different in each? dickinson’s theme is jays are like officers and hereford’s theme is birdsong brings us joy. dickinson’s theme is jays are pretty and hereford’s theme is seasons change. dickinson’s theme is jays are confident and hereford’s theme is birdsong is nice. dickinson’s theme is jays sit in trees and hereford’s theme is i heard a bird.