Trumpeter Swan

will you wipe the flour from your hands and look this way? perfect now hold your apron by your side perfect no, no...your hair's just fine perfect will you let me paint you? I'll take such pride many sorrows, many ways life could be kinder but you laugh a lot - life is still a surprise meeting you and greeting you is always an armful "oceans of love" crinkling in your eyes neck white and eager my Trumpeter Swan gliding through the ferns the fronds we feel your love oh Trumpeter Swan oh love on now I see you kneeling amidst the fiddle-heads and ferns at the side of the pond weaving 13 magic flaxen shirts for 13 brother swans and never once in your sweet thoughts do you ever think maybe you might fail in your unknowing way your love is strong me - I fear the 13 brother swans are going me - I curse them when they've gone but you will never know for we will rearrange the ferns and fronds to re-surround you