Roof and Meadow

"Roof and Meadow" by Dallas Lore Sharp is a set of nature essays observing wildlife and landscapes, and it shows city life against peaceful nature by looking at the author's thoughts and experiences with birds and other creatures around him. Beginning on an urban rooftop, he thinks about the sounds of nature reaching the city. He writes of watching birds like swallows and night-hawks fly around the city, pointing out the beauty of what they do among city sounds. He also talks about the different birds he sees, what they do, and how they move from place to place, showing how much he values nature while regretting how city life separates people from it. The author uses close-up observations, asking readers to think about how alive and persistent wildlife is, even as cities grow and take over.