The Swifts

Flying low over the warm roof of an old barn, Down in a flask to the water, up and way with a cry, And a wild swoop and a swift turn And a fever of life under a thundery sky, So they go, so they go by. And high and high and high in the diamond light, They soar and they shriek in the sunlight when heaven is bare, With the pride of life in their strong flight And a rapture of love to lift them, to hurtle them there, High and high in the diamond air. And away with the summer, away like the spirit of glee Flashing and calling, and strong on the wing, and wild in their play, With a high cry to the high sea, And a heart for the south, a heart for the diamond Day, So they go over, so go away.