Swallows fly on by

SWALLOWS FLY ON BY

Swallows swooped from above,

wings gliding sideways on the shimmering sea

before soaring up up to touch the unreachable skies.

In the distance, dark hair billows on the cliffs as footsteps run up,

hems catch on loose rocks as gazes linger on the horizon

far, far away.

Perched on the edge, feet dangling to the rhythm of the wind

the sky rotates - a kaleidoscope - flashing its four colours

till the pliant moss underhand turns brittle and white

The pendulum swings ceaselessly, its silence an elusive knell

Colours flash, yellow, orange, blue and peach

The wind billows the same, screeching its jaunty tune in line

with knees that now creak with every turn.

The swallows return to be observed, guided by the colours

their journey the same.

Grey hair billows on the cliff,

as the sea below shimmers a dusky shade.

Loose rocks fall away as feet settle on the edge

Sagacious gazes watch the horizon approach

Close, then closer.

- Prashamsa Manchiraju