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Watching Swallows
David Fraser lives in Nanoose Bay on Vancouver Island. He is the
founder and editor of Ascent Magazine, Aspirations for Artists, published since 1997. His poetry and short fiction
have appeared in 28 journals, including Three Candles, Regina Weese, Ardent and Ygdrasil. He has recently published a collection of his poetry, "Going to the Well," and another of his short fiction, "The Dark Side of the Billboard." David is currently the BC Federation of Writers Regional Director for The Islands Region.
By David Fraser
A small swallow's hut
attached just below the eaves
vacant for a year, now occupied.
Emerging from the hole,
a few quick flaps, an arcing swirl
flash of white, forked tail,
underbelly, spinning perfect
looping ribbons round and round
a blue clear sky
through the hole and home,
twigs, bits of string, discarded dog fur.
They dive and swoop in pairs.
hover, drop, u-arc, climb
flutter, flap, flap, flapping
holding in a glide
feeding on the fly
compelled by the cheep, cheep, cheeping
of their brood.
I sit rooted with my wings of clay
watching for their babies day of taking off
but find one morning
I've missed the moment and they're gone.
— 2005
Published October 2006
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