The Listener. Poem by Gangadharan nair Pulingat..

They were five in numbers and whitish in colour
The wings were pretty like handwoven silks
They were five in numbers and near
In my garden near me for a drink
They quenched their thirst from my irrigation pipe
Expressing their gratitude in peculiar voice
They were five in numbers and united
Not feared my approach at all
Amused, I asked their friendship for lifelong
Saying I will be friendly with them
Not to be feared at all in my presence
Not to be too much belief in human actions
I know they were suspecting me also
As a human there is inherent threat to them
But I assured, I am innocent and friendly
Will act only in just means for their survival
The poor white storks they were
Amusing my little play with watering pipes
They shared their happiness with me in morning
Asking a good shower of water from the pipe
Surely, no doubt I obliged with pride and happiness
I know they were more friendly than all others
Their happy mood was a joyful thing to me all along
I realised the friendship with nature is so great.