Swallows  

             Having only yesterday been a sparrow
                     twitching branches of trees by the river
                     I edge along a beam beneath the bridge
             Feeling tremors from the cars 

             Overhead
                     I will move with my fellows into the veil
             of mosquitoes draped over the water’s surface

             Beak half open, wings agitating
                     I take off - my tail a gentle fork
             Never a swift yet moving into the strong

             Updraft
                     Swooping in circles, taking in my throat
             Large gulps of air and small winged bodies

             A child has been watching me for years
                     taking off from this ledge
             I’ve just left behind.






                         (published in 100 Words, Passage issue, 1998)

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