beneath
between
betwixt
the gables of the old hotel
the swallows
swirled
with such speed
and vigour
that I sat
transfixed
wondering
fearful
if one or another
might collide
they didn't
no
unlike us sophisticated humans
who demonstrate
our superiority
by speed
showing off to partners
no
the swallows
were catching flies
darting as close to me
as they felt safe
perhaps it was gaming
or courtship or more
but they put
human arrogance
to shame
on a balmy
Mayo night
where the sunset
lit the sky
defined the bog
cast shadows
on the great
and wondrous bulk
of Nephin Mountain
that I have grown up with
like the swallows
under its wondrous might
beside a rumbling stream
fly catching
and catching flies

08/03/2014