Next fall when you see geese heading south for the winter... flying along in V formation...you might consider what science has discovered as to why they fly that way:
As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following. By flying in V formation the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range, than if each bird flew on its own.
People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.
When a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone... and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird in front. If we have as much sense as a goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are.
When the head goose gets tired it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. It is sensible to take turns doing demanding jobs...with people or with geese flying south.
Geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. What do we say when we honk from behind?
Finally...and this is important...when a goose gets sick or is wounded by gunshots, and falls out of formation, two other geese fall out with that goose and follow it down to lend help and protection. They stay with the fallen goose until it is able to fly or until it dies, and only then do they launch out on their own, or with another formation to catch up with their group.
If we have the sense of a goose, we will stand by each other in like manner.
Goose Send-off
A Migration Poem by Owen NeillThe voice of ancient gossamer
rises still its ancient way
in the quiet thunder eager wings
trying what the north winds say.What do winds whisper in clever ears
that makes the time to go just right?
The wonder is the mesage comes
to all at once like second sight.Preparation, patient, strong
born from the egg with what they need
each bird follows its primal plan
ten thousand years could not impede.We came, once with reckless sway
and cut across the natural flow.
But now repentance pricks us on
as we repair the status quo.We set the wild geese wild once more.
We hatch, imprint and train the flock.
We run, then fly, again, again
until we share the same bloodstock.Man and bird are strangely one
yet each cannot know the other.
Along the route soon remembered well
the wild and tame are somehow brother.The goal is fixed in the mind as one.
All eyes peel the horizon away.
It's time to soar where long ago
all nature held its solemn sway.Motion liquid below autumn clouds
a man-bird combination flies.
Like an ancient myth we integrate
and put sweet mytery in our eyes.A wrong is righted heroically.
A beauty we have never known
gives hope our world at least in part
will reap the harvest we have modestly sown.The voice of ancient gossamer
rises again its ancient way
in the quiet mystery of new born winds.
They know again what the north winds say.