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Swans

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I wonder how aware they are, what shadowy sense of self occupies their brain. Perhaps no more than a flicker of consciousness glows in the far reaches of an inner dark, sufficient to propel them here and there for food and find a mate, just printed circuits of flesh programmed for survival. They seem content in their grace, moving gently through the sunlit water, swimming towards me. What picture do they have of me. Am I just a shape categorized by the level of threat I pose, a button for them to push to get a piece of bread, an oddity in their way. And yet we are here, knitted together in this gifted moment, alive, each encased in an identity, confined to our little bubbles of being, floating the surface of some infinite and unfathomable mystery where all minds meet - although I'm eternally grateful that I'm not a swan, I don't like cold feet.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2024




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Date: 5/18/2024 4:27:00 PM
well penned, Paul. The fluidity of your poem reminded me of the image of swans gracefully making their way through the water. I especially liked the entire last verse..with the humor thrown in the ending. A gracious masterpiece, Paul. Wishing you a splendid evening, Sara
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Paul Willason
Date: 5/19/2024 5:29:00 PM
Good ear you have Sara, picking up on the watery flow...their grace must have imprinted on the rhythm. Thankyou for reading and hitting the keyboard once again to provide comment on my work...I very much value the time you give in yr support...true friend dear Sara.
Date: 5/18/2024 9:17:00 AM
they have apparently mastered the "eat, drink, be merry" mantra...nicely written Paul. I have an agreement with them...I don't fish near them and they don't practice take-off and landing over my kayak
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Paul Willason
Date: 5/19/2024 5:21:00 PM
I envy them. The swans here have been programmed instinctively to avoid fishermen but do practice accuracy in the aerial dropping of waste upon kayakers...territorial thing I suppose. Good to hear from you John...many thanks my friend.
Date: 5/18/2024 5:33:00 AM
You certainly have an inimitable talent for looking past the spectacle at hand Paul, and attempting to analyse true reality, I think your second stanza is probably as close as we can get to accurately describe the swans pov, you certainly don’t have cold feet for depth of reason, another class poem beautifully presented and written, a joy to read, cheers David
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Paul Willason
Date: 5/19/2024 5:15:00 PM
Sometimes get carried away on such flights...often even the most innocent question cascades into the profound, ripples across the pond of the 'big imponderables'. Many thanks David for joining in, providing such kind words. Very much valued, Paul
Date: 5/18/2024 3:28:00 AM
Pen to Cob: "Darling, humans are a strange breed, and very disloyal creatures." Cob to Pen: "They are a warring race. Always ready to kill each other. I fear them." Paul, I think many other animal species are aware of barbarian humans. The race that is far too beastly to each other, and yet they call other species, 'beasts.' I think I would prefer being a pen. Your poetic voice speaks loudly in these lines.
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Paul Willason
Date: 5/19/2024 5:09:00 PM
Fear that the coversation you overheard between the swans has a uneasy truth dear Lin...we tend to endow our species with superiority because of intelligence which we unfortunately employ to devise more means to destroy. If only swans had neoprene sox...might reconsider. Big thanks for reading and commenting my friend.
Date: 5/18/2024 12:50:00 AM
I just love seeing your name appear in the new poems list Paul - my little treat for perusing the list (if I cast myself as the swan scanning the horizon). I enjoyed reading your contemplation of the swan and frequently ponder other minds myself. Your phrasing here is quite magical so I'm going to fave, plus there's a joke at the end :)
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Paul Willason
Date: 5/19/2024 5:02:00 PM
Often get carried away pondering all weird stuff...keeps the mind active and pliable so that, occasionally, it can string together a few words like these. Many thanks DD for reading, providing such kind comments and anointing with Fav....treasured my dear friend.

Book: Shattered Sighs