healingwords: poetry for the soul

The swallow population is at its peak now with the fledglings all now gaining strength and joining their flock. At dusk and zone our house seems to be at the centre of a vortex of birds as they fly over the roof, skimming the terrace, whizzing past the front windows. There is a flock of maybe 50 or more birds and they swoop in formations of up to 10, missing windows and walls by mere inches. It is an incredible sight with the added benefit of clearing up the mosquitos before they bite! I have spent hours trying to capture them in a photograph, arms up until it makes me dizzy but the birds are too fast. I am left with a trace of their amazing flight as I gasp at the speed and agility. 

Today I am reminded of the importance of simple things and how this world health crisis is making us rethink what we really need in life. I am grateful for the unconditional love of my family and friends who make my life worth living.

This is one of my favourite trees,  a short walk from my home,  in the fields outside the village. It is one of the largest holm oaks in the area, they grow very slowly and many stay stunted as shrubs where they are shaded by the faster growing pine. This tree is native to our area, the hills overlooking the village are part of the 'Sierra Carrascal', named after the 'carrasca' , the holm oak tree. I hope I will soon be able to sit again under these branches, looking at blue sky through the leaves, playing with acorns and fallen leaves on the earthen floor.  © 2020 Jacqueline Knight Cotterill.  All rights reserved.