"The sharp swallows in their swerve

flaring and hesitating

hunting for the final curve

coming closer and closer--

The swallow heart from wing beat to wing beat

counseling decision, decision:

thunderous examples. I place my feet

with care in such a world."

--William Stafford

April is National Poetry Month, a good excuse. This poem is one of many by many poets discussed in an excellent new book by John Felstiner: Can Poetry Save the Earth? A Field Guide to Nature Poems (Yale.)