Perks on Earth

For me, swallows have always been a nostalgic sight in the sky. They remind me of spring in Ireland, and of my father, who awarded the lucky first sight of a swallow with a €2 coin. Seeing swallows come every year without fail to build their houses the eves of my home is pure nostalgia. The sight of their two pronged tails and red cheeks reminds me of those happy memories, watching them soar across our yard and running to claim the title of first swallow sighter before one of my sisters. The winter nights are getting longer, the skies warmer, and the swallows have arrived with spring in their wings and summers on their horizons.

I am currently sitting on the North Coast of Koh phanag, watching the sunset sink, and swallows dance on the horizons as they chase mosquitos. Sun drunk and lazily happy, the swallows are enough to bring a tear to my eye, and a smile across my lips. Swallows are a symbol of so much, of home, of great journeys, and endless freedoms. Chasing the sun they navigate cross Atlantic journeys, guided only by each other and the horizon. The swallow is also a symbol for the return home. The ability to travel and explore, and the draw back to home at the end of it all. This is my favorite thing about swallows, no matter what far shores they have wintered on, they never falter to come back home and make their nests in my home in Ireland, carrying with them another six months of travel on their wings. This metaphor resonates with me, and I would like to think I can embody the ability of a swallow in some manner in my life. I can be fully free as much as I can be a home body, and I think I’m getting there.

The significance of swallows. For me, it’s the reminder of home, that no matter where or how far I am, the days of my return will always be my favorite.