A conversation With a Swallow

A Few days ago, I had a dream, and in that dream, I was dreaming.  I know it sounds weird but, that’s what happened; let us call them outer dream and inner dream.  In the inner dream, I was sitting behind my desk in the small office I have at the back of the house. To my right there is a bed for occasional use by visitors or me if I am staying up late.  To my left there is a window that looks out on to the drive leading from the main road to the house.  At the end of the drive, there is a tall evergreen glossy laurel tree right by the house, where it is entirely possible for one to jump from the office window onto the laurel tree; if you are agile and brave enough.

Back to the inner dream.  A swallow bird swooped down and sat on a branch very close to the office window.  The swallow and I had a short conversation before he took off to re-join his flock.  When I woke up from the inner dream, I sat up in bed and wrote down on a pad the conversation I’d had with the swallow.

I then woke up from my outer dream, sat up in bed and looked for my notes from the inner dream.  Naturally, there were no notes.  So, I opened my computer and typed the experience I just had, which is what you are reading now.

So, what was the conversation that I had with the swallow about?  Here it is:

A swallow came visiting

He perched on a branch of the tall laurel tree by my window

Hello, I said as he busied himself preening

Why are you so sad? He enquired

I am in the twilight of my life and still searching for fulfilment

You maybe old in days but you are young in wisdom

How so? I asked

Your fulfilment is within your reach

If only you could recognise it

How can I recognise it?

By having the wisdom to do so

But time is not on my side to gain wisdom

Then stop searching for what you don’t have

And then?

Look at what you already have

You have a life partner with whom you share true and deep love

You have offspring who also give you unconditional love

There is no greater fulfilment than loving and being loved

When all your energies have been spent

And all you yearn for is to rest your head

When you draw your last breath

When it is time to shuffle off this mortal coil

Take this love with you

To light the way on your final journey

Then you will rest truly fulfilled

Another swallow swooped down and perched on the same branch.  They chattered for a while, then they took off to join the rest of their flock.  The flock swooped and ascended in perfect harmony.

 

Mufid – October 2020