Martin makes us think long and hard about this teeange speaker's family, school and private life without specifically addressing it. Through the act of cleaning barn and life and detailing the activity of birds like swallows, all revealed poetically without contrivance, we are given an intimate snapshot of a teenager in rural America. It pulls at the heartstrings, feels so alive, it's startling, beautiful writing.

Martin is extremely skilled at developing vivid understanding and empathy in her audience. As with her other Pennsyltucky pieces, we ache for and along with these characters. And we learn. It's magnificent, bravely honest work.

There's a great sense of specificity here as a boy struggles to follow through with the chore of clearing out a nest filled with baby birds. Finding that he identifies with swallows and their penchant for cleanliness makes it all the harder. I was in suspense as to whether he'd do it or not, and raced through this piece to find out. An excellent monologue with twists and turns--great for a young actor wanting to show off their skills.