will you wipe the flour from your hands
and look this way?
perfect
now hold your apron by your side
perfect
no, no...your hair's just fine
perfect
will you let me paint you?
I'll take such pride
many sorrows, many ways life could be kinder
but you laugh a lot - life is still a surprise
meeting you and greeting you is always an armful
"oceans of love" crinkling in your eyes
neck white and eager
my Trumpeter Swan
gliding through the ferns the fronds
we feel your love
oh Trumpeter Swan
oh love on
now I see you kneeling amidst the fiddle-heads
and ferns at the side of the pond
weaving 13 magic flaxen shirts
for 13 brother swans
and never once in your sweet thoughts
do you ever think maybe you might fail
in your unknowing way your love is strong
me - I fear the 13 brother swans are going
me - I curse them when they've gone
but you will never know for we will rearrange
the ferns and fronds to re-surround you