MURMURATIONS 

children on the playground 
murmurate like starlings 
obeying invisible commands 
to pause then surge 
gather then disperse 
run en masse then  

stop  

before dashing off  
in a new direction 
dictated by 
shrieks and squeals 
whistles and winks 
orders understood only 
by the nine-year-old flock 

                    - Joseph Neely 

Watch a starling murmuration here.

This poem stems from watching elementary school children in the schoolyard while working as a playground supervisor. Yesterday was the last day of the school year. School’s out for summer.

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My book, SLOW RIVERS, can be ordered through your local bookstore or online via bookshop.org. (ISBN 979-8-218-43822-7)

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Joseph Neely, all rights to original material reserved.