Low-Flying Swallow

Suddenly, from behind me,
A startling black flash
Darts past my legs;
Sleek pointed wings,
Forked tail, streamlined,
Flying ankle-height,
Skimming the meadow
Like a silent stealth fighter jet
Flying under the radar,
Twisting, turning,
Swooping round me
Aerobatically,
As I stand still, surprised,
Looking down, not up:
A bird of the air
Performing elegant manoeuvres
At ground level,
Complete circles around me –
Once, twice, then
Off across the meadow
And up and away.