Return of the Swallows
There are many birds that gather
in my yard throughout the year,
however there is one that I favor.
You'll not find her at the feeder
like the others on the dole.
I think her mama taught her
the value of self-sufficiency.
She and her faithful hubby
(Oh how that guy is trained)
have come back to their love nest
on my front porch, knowing they
are welcome.
She taught him how to fix it up
and he worked hard at the job
so it looks like new.
Anything at all she wanted,
he was more than willing to tackle.
Their nest abuts the ceiling, so
I bump my head before I can see
if the shells have broken and the little
ones have put in an appearance.
Once here, their mouths will open
and will never close again
until they are as big as their parents.
Its gnats and gnats and more gnats
that keep their parents slaving.
She tells him they have mouths to feed,
and there is not time for stopping.
While he is gathering their food,
she is shoveling it into their wide open beaks
and then passes him when he returns.
The feeding job is his to continue.
Mama is now on the hunt. They are both
proud of their well fed offspring.
She grabs all of the mosquitos that
her little beak can hold and now
her faithful mate is going out for more.
You will not find better parents,
human or other wise,
than these precious little swallows.
You would think they would be happy
when their youngsters leave their nest,
but they turn around and start another family.
Any villainous mosquito,won't have a chance
to do me harm,with these vigilantes on the job.
I will miss them when they leave this fall
but they will be back again in March or April
of the coming spring.
Copyright © Joyce Johnson | Year Posted 2011
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