Distinction

a poem that mentions swans but actually has nothing to do with swans

Submerged Walkway Over Ballynahinch Lake, Connemara - September 2025

Distinction

It is almost impossible to tell one thing from another.  
For instance, swans.  

To the early morning’s eye, simply white over white; 
scattered chalk dusting the cusp of a lake.  

No thrill of the cardinal’s dragon fruit feathers.  
No maverick flight of spring's deft swallow. 
 
No sparrow song ear worming its way unscathed.
Until fog's lift delivers a treble clef neck, a gift, 

this proud throat unscarved. Silent, plain bird
seen today, and I am suddenly not the same.  

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Thank you for reading.
{| AC