Thursday 12 November
The Swan by Nelly Sachs
Nothing
above the waters
and suddenly there hangs on the blink of an eye
swanlike geometry
water-rooted
creeping up
and bowing again
and with the air vying
with the universe.
I went on a walk yesterday to scan the area around the school. Just a routine circuit to make sure all was good.
Trudging over gravel and leaf mixed paths to the canal. And as I passed under the bridge I was met by a lone swan heading towards me at some pace.
Knowing how territorial they can get, I kept close to the tunnel wall and as far from the water’s edge as socially possible. Whilst at the sametime, ensuring I didn’t give my feathered friend a sense of me being alarmed at all.
The beautiful and deeply impressive creature came to a skilled stop near to the topath. Looking at me the whole time. Then sensing I was no threat up ended itself, head down, tail up.
I passed by mid-dip and whipped out my phone. I thought it wouldn’t take offense if it couldn’t see me. Click.
The Bald Birder 