Migration of the Elders

[TRexroth]

Beating wings with bones like cocktail straws
try and fly with feathers flying
a swallow losing altitude as feathers fall
an old bird following the path of icarus.

the skeleton of a swallow is fragile
it is crisp and it flays out in an angelic posture
there are frail wing structures that disinigrate
as god exhales.

the skeleton of the swallow will never be captured
that shadow of a swallow graces the foreheads
of those whose eyes are guided by celestial forces
they see the sharp outlines smearing the
stucco of Capistrano.

[Mac]

and every year they return, to soar between the houses.enjoyed

mac

[Michael]

TRexroth, you intertwine the mysterious and the pragmatic in this piece.
they see the sharp outlines smearing the
stucco of Capistrano.
The use of the word “smearing” in this passage almost creates a paradox. However, I think the entire piece is well done and paradoxical because, as I pointed out, you intertwine the mysterious and the pragmatic. :D

[e-piph[lol]]

sometimes it really is that final migration..

enjoyed

[TRexroth]

When i was about 7 or 8 my parents took me San Capistrano to see the
swallows return, one of them smacked right into the side of the building
and fell to the ground dead. It actually left a dark stain on the stucco and
at the time i was somewhat disturbed by seeing that.
Maybe it was an elder swallow who was terminally ill and decided to end it
quickly. I'm not sure what triggered the memory but the result was this poem.

thnx for your comments, i hope that resolves some o f the paradox