I thought that this would be a different sort of write, but the poem took over and wrote itself --

I HEARD THEM BEFORE I SAW THEM
their raucous off key calls melodious
above the cacophony of afternoon traffic
five canadas on the wing flying somewhere

Silhouetted against the clouds above “the plant”
calling out as they reclaimed the sky
their third home. Mighty wings beating
drumming out their late august chant,

we’re going away, we’re going away
they rise into the ev’ning sky
seeking today only an evenings rest
but soon they will rise up on

the evening wind and be gone