the neighbors' eggs hatched

a sense of relief swept 

down the street

we all feel a new

sense of vigilance 

scan the sky 

for enemies

merlins, eagles, hawks

we cannot see them yet

no idea of the count

only hear their hungry cries

this morning I watched

the mother swoop

from the nest 

right over head

so close I could hear

wind in her wings

and she rolled and dropped

rolled and dropped

all through the valley

a clear celebration 

of her new family