SWAN

Did you see it, drifting all night, on the

black river?

Did you see it in the morning, rising into the

silvery air -

an armfull of white blossoms,

A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it

leaned

into the bondage of it's wings; a snowbank,

a bank of lilies,

Biting the air with it's black beak?

Did you hear it, fluting and whistling

A shrill music - like the rain pelting

the trees - like a waterfall

Knifing down the black ledges?

And did you see it, finally, just under the

clouds -

A white cross streaming across the sky, it's

feet

Like black leaves, it's wings like the

stretching light of the river?

and did you feel it, in your heart, how it

pertained to everything?

And have you finally figured out what

beauty is for?

And have you changed your life?

 

Mary Oliver

 

 

 

Done