Four Swallows

Four Swallows

All creatures, big or tiny

that swim, crawl, sit

walk, slither, or fly

upon holy Mother Earth

follow paths of reincarnation

until they reach

the rare highlands, vast golden steppes

and deep oceans blue

to re-learn the compassion

that their spirits eternal

forever have known

Most creatures retire then

to once again know bliss and to rest

but a few innovative souls

return to live one long incarnation

lasting many thousands of years

wherein they teach the ways

of Mother Earth to those who come after

These we call

guardian angels, memes and muses

Long, long ago

four very wise swallows

two male and two female,

named Etta and Daim, Mika, and Till

led their species, teaching

their brothers and sisters

to become the friends

and benefactors of man

They were the first of their kind

to make the long journey each year

from breeding grounds

in the northern hemisphere

to winter feeding grounds

far to the south

They were also the first of their kind

to make their mud nests

in the roofs of human thatch huts

When these four passed on,

each in their turn

the Earth Mother granted them all

long, long lifetimes as muses

to the humans they so loved

Wise Etta chose the task

of teaching humans

how to see truth with their hearts

though for many humans,

this is very hard to learn

Her mate, brave and resourceful Daim

chose the task of teaching humans

to be curious and creative

even in the face of terrible hardship

Compassionate Mika chose the task

of teaching humans

how to reach deep into their souls

and love one another in a way

that never knows death

Her mate, joyous Till

chose the task of teaching humans

to laugh even in the darkest of times

therein finding strength sure and true

to overcome even the most dire adversity

Together, with the great dragon muses,

the cat muses, great and small,

and dog muses, gregarious and wise

who have chosen to nurture the spirits of men,

of Etta and Daim, Mika, and Till

many extraordinary adventures can be told

as they've wandered the world on fleet wing

century upon century

taking hundred year turns

flying first north and east

then south and west, each night quietly

whispering wisdom into human dreams

when minds sleep

and souls awaken

Dewey Dirks