Swallows know when to fly to sunnier climes,

An each-way journey of six thousand miles;

Sensing temperature, light and weather clues;

Ready to return when the time comes.

Swallows practice their turns and moves;

From their first flight away from the bro;d.

Turning and gliding in perfect motion;

Catching the tiniest creatures to feed on.

Resting on high wires, trees and gutters;

Swallows know to rest when it matters;

Tuned to their need for energy;

They drink, eat and clean in perfect synergy.

Swallows work on their own and as a team;

Male and female tasks split between them;

Deftly compatible yet doing their own thing;

Working to raise and protect their young.

Swallows are perfection in intricate form;

Every sinew, bone, feather - priceless on its own;

Streamlined for agility, precision and speed;

Swallows are remarkable passerine beings.

Connected to Earth's magnetic field;

They know where to go - sight unseen;

Travelling so many miles with unspeakable skill;

Back to the same nest they built last Spring.

We are like Swallows in many ways,

We too have a mission, an instinct to learn.

We are made for long journeys, to fly together,

To live in peace and harmony with each other.

Sue Cartwright

Spiral Leaf