The Grace of Pelicans

Yesterday the pelicans, all but two or three, had vanished -
gone on to Canada for the summer, I supposed.
But here they were again this morning
directly overhead, wheeling above St. Paul's streets,
hugely white with black-tipped wings
hundreds, round and round -
an astonishing sign - of what? - something
aweful -
like towers falling, or a bridge,
only joyous, circling higher and higher,
moving slowly north over the treetops and out of sight.

Down to the park I hurried tonight well after dark,
the only human in the flashing, rainy place -
was it true?
I believe so - they weren't there, but the grace still stirs.