A drop of water

falls.
Drip.
Another.
Drip.
Drip, drop – more fall.
The drip becomes a trickle;
Drip, drip, drop -.
the trickle a stream.
The stream becomes a river,
a down pour, a torrent –
surge, rush, roar.
A flood begins with just a drip.
Snow.
Sun on snow.
A little warmth,
a little melting.
A moment of easing,
loosening,
a shifting of weight.
gathering momentum –
And whoosh!
A million tonnes of speeding snow.
An avalanche begins with just one flake.
A swallow
perched on the telephone wire,
testers slightly.
Now or later?
One swallow, two.
Another, three. Sway.
Now or later?
Four, six;
Eight, ten. Now?
Gather, check, sense the air.
Now? Now!
Up, and away,
wings beat, compass set,
off –
fare well.
Where one or two are gathered,
change begins.
May God bless our endeavours.