Two swallows
who couldn't share the skies
or mud-brick ledges,
clenched together and fell on the ground.

They were found
by my father, still clawing each other,
oblivious to all around.

I asked my father to open his palm
and let the swallows out, one by one.

Time will come
when my body and soul
will also split like this

and flutter away
on equal wings
into the rain-twilled mist,

and I,
since I am no more
than that which held them together,
will cease to exist.