Swallow Child by Sarah Russell

Swallows by Benjamin Chee Chee, 197?

Swallow Child

I had no mother,
no tribe.  Swallows
heard me crying.

They gave me flight,
to feel the wind,
to find my spirit.

They gave me a mate
to birth our young
in ancient cliffs.

They gave me companions
for warmth
in winter's cold.  

Someday I will fly to the sun.
My feathers will gleam iridescent.
My home will be in cloud cliffs.  
I will look down on Earth's chaos
where my mother disappeared.  
I will no longer miss her.

Sarah Russell

NB from the poet:  I generally try to learn more about a painting and the artist to see if there is anything in the research to incorporate into an ekphrastic poem.  Benjamin Chee Chee's Native American heritage and tragic death at age 32 became the cornerstone of this poem.  See http://www.northlandart.com/htmfiles/bios/bio_cheechee.html


This poem was written as part of the 20 Poem Challenge.

Sarah Russell has returned to her first love after a career teaching, writing and editing academic prose. Her poetry has appeared in Red River Review, Misfit Magazine, The Houseboat, Shot Glass Journal, Bijou Poetry Review and Poppy Road Review, among others. Her poem “Denouement” won the GR poetry contest in February, 2014.  Follow her work at www.SarahRussellPoetry.com