You see them in all seaside towns br Late summer, say, around the time br The schools go back. They congregate br Like swallows do on lines and wires br To rest before that long hard journey br From these shores, or like late autumn br Butterflies that find a warm br And sheltered spot late in the day br Before the sun goes down. br br Basking there in the still warm air br It seems as if these too prepare br This afternoon for their long journey br To another shore. They softly twitter, br Snooze, recline in peaceful rows br On hired deckchairs in the sun br And like the swallows, in their bones br They know that winter soon will come.