The Mute Swan's Song
for clarity, you may want to read the footnotes
the mute swan's song
has an ambiance
where motion moves naught
it hovers in an existence
where time becomes meaningless
lighting is aloof, a halo shining down
the white bed becomes a herald of angels
ready to move as the song fades
into Empyreal Heights never to return
lights dance in the mind
racing from red to blue into green
the machines are performing
appointed tasks, measuring vitals
in their ending throes
wires and tubes feeding each moment
a record of the battle
as life succumbs to the inevitable
your eyes are closed
breathing has become shallow
holding your hand, grasping at life
adding each precious moment
to a memory long embedded in happiness
we grew into this silence, holding hands
lost in a simple joy of each other's company
when our souls existed as one
i look up and the breathing has ceased
she is free of this mortal coil
i bury my tears into her hand
the lights are blue, red, and green
have gone silent
rising to my feet i bend to kiss her
whisper into her ear
please take me with you
Sweet Swan of Avalon, sing now for me
let your quill mark my wish in grief
please take me with you
life is an endless tide
that holds us within its laws
caught within the flood current
we have no power over its ebb
there exists no safe harbor
free from the tidal laws
mother's thoughts on this were
mourn a day and return to the plow
life is about the living
whose last whisper into her ear
please take me with you
OKC 9/22
The term “swan song” comes from the belief that Mute Swans (Cygnus olor) were completely silent until the last few moments of their life, when they would sing a beautiful song. Although this is an ancient myth and was proven to be false, as far back as 77A.D., the legend has lived on and the term swan song has become mainstream.
Shakespeare himself frequently featured this bird in his writing and was given the epithet “Sweet Swan of Avon.” He remarked that, although it was mute, it sang its swan song when ready to die. In act 8 of his play Othello, she was remorseful to similarly remark, “I will play the swan and die in music. “
Copyright © Timothy Ray | Year Posted 2022
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