so soon gone
            so soon over
       the image of the swans
       carried away by love
           carried away by water
 
 
 

        the swan glides across
           its surface image
           its wings unfold
         unfolding memory
         with reflections of its own
 
 
 

           yellowing reeds
       briefly the swans' necks
         form a heart shape
         alone i watch them
              remembering us
 
 
 

         the swans are mirrored
     by water knowing their love
         having once drowned
         i gaze within my gaze
           my mind turning to you
 
 
 

       swans paired with themselves
            a tale repeated by love
           and memory like water
               you and i again
               and again in that mirror
 
 
 

                gathering milkweed
       wind carries some of the seed
                     into the river
           while some becomes lost
              in your strands of white hair