Think of the Poor Swans
The last Sunday in March they release the swans
and pipe them down to the water
from their winter barn. These tourist swans
decorate the festival city’s river.
This year it is Easter and snowing
as the small crowd gathers to watch the rite.
Overnight it will turn even colder, north
winds firing down from the Arctic.
I get up in the night. Look out the window.
The flag is flapping. I am worried,
though the swankeeper says it is hormonal
and they must be released
or there will be death from war in the barn.
It is true; they march straight for the river ignoring
the pipers leading the way and citizens lined up to watch.
Perhaps they can also ignore the killing
cold, find a bank
to nest behind, heads
under wings. I still can’t sleep.
You are piped into life, then
left in the cold and dark
to survive the winds alone.
Page(s) 62
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