Birds

Two old men, living either 

Side of a border, tense,

Saw each other, and cautiously greeted.

'How's life?' probed one.

'Dull as ever,' said the other, 

As revealing a national 

Secret.

' And you?'

'Dull too. What to do?'

Let's sing,' the older suggested, 

'Before our soldiers come.'

Each sang the national anthem

(That was customary before any),

Each found the dullness grow, 

Each found the silence grow.

'Your people killed my... That was years back......

Will you sing...

Will you...

A love song for me?'

The man sang for the other. It was 

A song buried in his heart.

Both smiled, but both remained quiet.

Remained quiet and remained long. 

Till the younger pointed skyward.

First, a large flock of migratory 

Birds were seen,

On what seemed a secret, unifying journey.

Then two love birds, defying borders

Also came me into view.