Flyaway: In the Midst of Wings

It’s like the commercial
The photographer arrives
in the middle of a field
just as wild birds become airborne
She mentions that capturing
the experience on film is a goal
but being in the middle
of it is amazing

When I walked by the LA River
I was in the middle of a flock of pigeons
where I felt part
of a flock ritual
They
took off
flew in one direction
with the wind
then turned back
several times more
in the wind’s direction

I’ve always wondered
why flocks of birds
fly aerial switchbacks
While I still do not know
the answer
I’m just content
to have been in the middle
of a flyaway