White Terns

Come fly with me said she One good tern deserves another And did I so yearn with her to share the air Up we soared and down we roared between the sea's deep blue and sky's paler hue Between the waves’ white spray and clouds high away As speeding arrows, we traced two trails across foam crests calling as we raced pure, sweet nothings And sharp as scimitars our slim, white wings spray and air did slice Enough said she, no more And down and down she dove and through the great pine’s boughs a twisting path she wove wings fluttering fast until at last by her side she bid me settle So I passed the test that measured well my mettle that meant with her I’d nest Like some other species White Terns engage in courtship flights. The male flies after the female matching her aerobatics as best he can. Apparently his genes are being tested