Air force

The bird tumbles out of the tree Like a leaf Floats like a leaf Brown and green and gold Spined and veined, Its tail a rudder-stem. One leaf wings along Beside the bird, The wind taking them both Up Toward the great blue eye of sky Lidded by gentian cloud, Down To a crossing of valleys: The leaf spirals Helpless to climb, Out of all control, Bellies finally to earth. Is raked to fire by a grateful landsman The bird's wings angle To make a judicious bank and glide, Edge into an updraft; He hangars deftly into the tree, Dislodges a squadron of dry leaves, Chirrups noisily.