I used to love the haunting song
of low-flying swans, their trumpeting
a welcome herald of spring,
their wingbeats a gentle breath
passing overhead.
Now, they remind me of the threat
of his yellow beak and wings
beating me into submission.
I wish I could fly away
and hide my condition
until I become a mother,
when I will no longer fear his power
because the maternal bond
can only make me stronger.
Kim M. Russell, 8th April 2024
Image by Sascha Bosshard on Unsplash
It’s Monday, the start of another week, and day eight of Na/GloPoWriMo. Today’s optional prompt has been inspired by Laura Foley’s poem ‘Year End’ and we are writing poems that centre around encounters or relationships between two people (or things) that shouldn’t really have ever met, due to time, space, age, the differences in their nature, or any other reason.
writing in north norfolk 
Beautiful picture.
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Oh–so poignant, so tragic. To have something beautiful recall the trauma.
I liked your line breaks/enjambment.
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Thanks so much, Merril. Originally, I didn’t put any line breaks in, but I wanted spaces in between, to evoke flying and freedom.
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You’re welcome, Kim!
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A very clever form, Kim, loved it. Until you “became a mother?” Not real sure how that makes you strong? My guess is that ‘mother’s instinct’ is stronger than the big bird’s verocity.
Jim, aka Jim1Jim1.
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Thanks Jim. You’re right about a mother’s instinct!
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kim, I am seeing gobs of dVerse Writer’s working NaPoWriMo here. Also our older writing havens and then other dVerse posters that I don’t recognize her.
I have a thought, “you could borrow Blenza and invite or put them on when it isnt being used, say like April 12 or 13.” That would add to the Social purpose of bloggin. the invitation could be made with Poetics and Prosery and our other spots, say Friday Writings and others I dont know.
Just the generic blog address and they should appear latest first.
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Sounds like a good idea, Jim. But you would have to ask the other prompt people too.
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Just lovely. So sad, but beautiful. It’s amazing how often Leda is decentred in her own myth and you’ve corrected that wonderfully.
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Thank you so much for reading and for your kind comments, Niwlen.
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Yeats’ poem is haunting and as a reminder of past trauma. even more so, and Leda’s voice comes through in its fragile yet ever-strengthening state of anticipated (re)birth, Love that you ended on that note, Kim. Beautifully done.
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Thank you so much, Dora. I’d forgotten about Yeats’ poem. I had to read it again.
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I enjoyed this much, Kim. 🙂
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Thank you, Kitty!
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