I could say, “This is a swan,”
but I can not tell you what kind,
or whether it is that particular swan;
one that whistled over my sky
to push waves upon pond
that slapped snake grass silly
and roused stiff
derby-headed bulrushes
from their afternoon nap
that went on too long.
I could say, “This is me,”
but I can not tell you
a moment from now,
if it still will be, or should,
since I witness minute miracles
that saturate my soul
with heavenly colors
(although I do not believe
in a “heaven” as such
or ghosts or priests with loose robes
or foster parents who put on a good show
while they are furiously paddling
to keep us from seeing the muck).
I could say, “I am a swan”
but I would be ugly duckling
impostor on this mirrored lake
where everything looks calm
and serene, and you would think
there could be a happy beginning
and ending that would give nun’s faith.
I could say, that all is not as it seems.
A swan’s wing for cover
is sometimes not enough
to make you believe forever.
Author notes
Published in "Shhhhhh: A Creation Story"
In a list
- Gold Poetry • next in list
- On Self • next in list
- My Favorite AP Poets • next in list
- The Turquoise Tears • next in list
- List of Poems Written for Me by AP Poets (under construction) • next in list
A contest entry
- Mirror by MuddyKing.
300 points, ended August 1, 2006, 25 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
What did you think
Comments
1 - 9 of 9
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I wish I had words to say as well that this has often been the way I've felt about appearances and smooth waters, calm, above the undertow where I have sometimes struggled to keep a semblance of strength and balance. I do know that swans are a very fierce bird, and perhaps their humble beginnings are the reasons for it. As for the beauty, do they (or we) even know when it happens, when we become the wing and the ripple? To me, this poem is a "minute miracle" of being born to eloquence in the silence of the watch. ~K
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thank you twisted memories. Writing is my life, truly...
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Absolutely beautiful
Keep penning . . . keep sharing . . . and much luck to you in the contest as well as any and all future poetic ventures!
Maggie -
Youa re welcome MuddyKing..and I like where your contests take me, as wlel...so we are even?
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wonderful as usual
I always like where you take my mind
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Masks often leave a lasting impression when finally taken off. So sad when we "have" to wear one to conform, leaves a person with a 'who am I really?' complex in the end. A great piece of writing Carol, best wishes in this contest!
Many blessings
Sandi
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"I could say, that all is not as it seems. A swan’s wing for cover is sometimes not enough to make you believe forever." Ahhh, my Sister...this is pensive, pure, rife with pain...It is also heavily~laden with Beauty & Wisdom...When I hear your Voice in the wilderness, I never hear the sour, off~keys notes of an ugly duckling; I can only hear the serene sounds of a lovely swan, afloat on the currents of Dream...As you know, my nickname is Swanee...we are gentle, peaceful creatures...until our loved ones are threatened...then we become fierce, loud & loyal to their defense...Like you & suse, I listened to Gene Pity's music, too; "A Town Without Pity" was my theme song for years...life in a small town, don'tcha know...
Another wonderful penning, Carol...Good luck in the contest, Lady...
Wanda
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Ah..Gene Pitney's song was one of myf avorites. We were not even teenagers when this came out and we used to listen to my girlfriend's older sister's records. We'd put this one on and cry our little faces off....we thought we knew what sadness was.
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Your title gives a vision of a swan covering it's face with a wing of shyness.With drawn as a young one from a feeling of alienation from others.Sad,I've seen such.But honest love makes up for it in trust gained over time.As that old song of Gene Pitney's went,"Only love can break a heart,only love can mend it again".~~Suseann
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