Pale gray fluff
On a downy cotton ball
Following the highest of royalties
Sumptuous, sagacious, proud,
Garbed in ivory feather cloaks
The White Swans.
Learning to hold itself
With unrestrained grace
Not to stumble
Not to fall
Not to waddle
But to stroll
With peace and dignity.
Learning to converse
With the quacking ducks
To listen to the dukes and barons--
Black swans--
Moving on with a smile
Leaving behind a trace
Of magnificence.
The cygnets
Swimming round
Dipping heads
Learning
To be kings.
Author notes
Lyd: A cygnet.
You probably noticed I have three entries, on three different words. I would do more, but I'm not sure that would be welcome, whatever the rules of the contest say. This contest is just so fun!
Also, at the end, I know cygnets are boys and girls, but kings sounds better than monarchs or rulers or kings and queens.
A contest entry
- Define a foreign word – and use it as a prompt! by Beating.
300 points, ended August 14, 2008, 9 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Comments
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I must admit that I had to look up the word 'cygnet', to understand your poem (English is not my mother tongue). However, as soon as I understood the meaning, the true elegance of your poem really outshone my first impression. I'm impressed.
When the contest has ended you'll see if your interpretation of the word is close to its actual meaning!
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