Swallow Flight

I had a grandstand seat today for beauty and delight as I watched swallows on my porch assay to teach their offspring how to fly. Among the columns at my door they darted with dark slender wings joined presently by more and more swallows of preceding springs. With what wild chirrups they extolled the joy of flight! With what quick skill they bribed and threatened and cajoled the tender ones to do their will! Who could resist such argument? And when they took to sky and tree, it was as though all heaven bent to garland earth with poetry.