These Swallows

The sky is smeared, streaked
with blue and gold—
the wisps of sunset.

Beside me, above the city,
barn swallows swoop,
excited by the gloaming.

I am reminded I'd forgotten them,
like Largemouth Bass,
or childhood.

These old friends of mine,
these swallows,
coping with city life.

As I have long coped
with being alone,
without them.