Welcome Swallows Poem by Francis Duggan

Unrestricted by borders all day long they fly
Above the brown paddocks these dark birds of the sky
Known as welcome swallows they seldom do rest
Except to roost or bring food to their young in nest,
The swallows of Australia have never been rare
Above towns and rural paddocks they are seen everywhere
For stamina and prolonged speed the true monarchs of flight
Above all sorts of landscapes a familiar sight
They chase insects, flies and bees on the wing
And whilst they are flying low to the ground you can hear them sing
Compared to ours their's is not a lengthy time span
But they travel more miles than the most travelled human,
All day long above the brown paddocks they fly
At the speed of a motor car across the sky.