I’m finally catching up on publications that happened earlier this year, when I was in Mexico. This is the first of two poems in the WOODLANDS anthology, edited by the wonderful d. ellis phelps. Also appearing in this anthology are poems by Stephanie L. Harper and Robert Okaji! The book is a terrific read, centered on themes of nature, magic, mystery and myth and can be purchased on Amazon US here or Amazon Canada here:
Lynne Burnett 
This is really quite beautiful Lynne. I especially love, “this is what I lie down with, after the sun has set.” And the appreciation of your closing stanza.
The poem really resonates with me, as the tree swallows who nest in our backyard left with their little ones yesterday. We enjoy them for weeks, doing all the things you’ve described here. My god, they are soooo busy in the final days!! A highlight for me the other day was watching one of them ride a raven right out of their air space for as far as the eye could see… and then return shortly with a beak full of bugs. Magnificent fliers. Gotta love it.
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Oh, Chris, thank you so much! I love that you saw them chase a raven away and come back with goodies for the babies! And that this poem resonated so completely! 💚
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