Graciously August Poem by Elna Nel

now that the cold is giving way
swallows are preparing and drawn
to this country's seasonal rue
I find myself much more aware

of the absence of wings and you
in my efforts to paint wet-blue
following the colours of dawn
flying seems futile behaviour

now that the bare front windows
of my heart are robbed of hue
and acoustics flighty balance
are lengths of flimsy belonging

allowing enough of the sun
to reach the arrangements of still
sleeping words and adopted smiles
as winter is a narrowing spill

I feel bare like tiles on the walls
white and creating space for change
I find myself much aware
of the absence of feathers

as winter is coming to a close
and the acoustics of well-being
and the swallows are somewhere
between earth and heaven knows

where it is graciously august
some put their trust in humankind
others paint murals of birds
migrating for their own benefit