Adaptation

On Zumwalt Prairie barn and cliff swallows nest in the big red barn and in the eaves of the property's three buildings. Their constant dips and dives near their nests act as a background for life here. Native Americans, however, did not build barns and the swallows had to build their nests in natural conditions that afforded protection from their enemies. They found security and protection in rocky caves, in crevices in rocky cliffs, on rock shelves with some protection from above, and even in holes or natural cavities in cutbacks. 

The cheat grass swayed 

above the swallow's shadow, 

leaving me to wonder if a bird 

so intent on flight 

might trade his perch 

for a nest in the dirt.