SWAN SONG

The swan silently crossed the river
No reflection, no ripple in her wake
Lit by a moving sunbeam, she crossed the water, Just, for my sake
I sat down aboard her back
As her head turned to me
And she looked into my eyes, asking,
Are you really, really, ready
I nodded, as tears rained, from my face
To join countless others in their river
The swan started swimming & slowly singing, The most beautiful music
I had ever heard in my life
And then the swan suddenly changed
From black into a dazzling white
And I stopped crying and started smiling
As together we crossed over
Into the most brilliant of light

Michael Ashby, Sidmouth