The swan (Terzanelle)

I saw a swan reflected on a pond
majestically with bended neck
with some little ones trailing beyond

speck upon speck
reflected on the glittering surface,
majestically with bended neck

as if sailing solemnly to efface
all doubt to its grace and splendour
reflected on the glittering surface

and emanating from the bird some warmth, some ardour
the tale of Andromache was reminded to me.
All doubt to its grace and splendour

was made insignificant by sheer beauty
and without mate with widowed grief
the tale of Andromache was reminded to me

who loved the hero Hector but brief.
I saw a swan reflected on a pond
and without mate with widowed grief
with some little ones trailing beyond.

[References: Les Fleurs du Mal: The Swan by Charles Pierre Baudelaire. The swan by Roy Campbell.]

poem by Gert Strydom
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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