rainfall

nowhere to hide the marvellous magic bird
its liquid notes enough to make me smile
too clear and simple for a measured word
but enough to freeze the moment for a while
i watched them fly up in the salt sea air
or saw one riding in the calm blue bay
they seemed to be beyond such things as fear
they owned the sky as much in night as day
to master every dread and seek clear sky
what did that first what creature took the leap
managed to stay aloft managed not to die
and in the formless air managed itself to keep
the reasons will not make themselves so clear
as understanding that which must appear