Where the slow river
meets the tide,
a red swan lifts red wings
and darker beak,
and underneath the purple down
of his soft breast
uncurls his coral feet.
Through the deep purple
of the dying heat
of sun and mist,
the level ray of sun-beam
has caressed
the lily with dark breast,
and flecked with richer gold
its golden crest.
Where the slow lifting
of the tide,
floats into the river
and slowly drifts
among the reeds,
and lifts the yellow flags,
he floats
where tide and river meet.
Ah kingly kiss --
no more regret
nor old deep memories
to mar the bliss;
where the low sedge is thick,
the gold day-lily
outspreads and rests
beneath soft fluttering
of red swan wings
and the warm quivering
of the red swan's breast.
Back to Hilda Doolittle
To be able to leave a comment here you must be registered. Log in or Sign up.
Comments2Just came across this fascinating poem by Hilda Doolittle! The imagery and colors she uses are so vivid and captivating, and the way she describes the swan and its surroundings really helps paint a picture in my mind. I especially love the use of "red swan" as opposed to the usual white swan, it adds a sense of uniqueness and depth to the poem. I'm curious, does anyone have any thoughts on what the "kingly kiss" and the "old deep memories" might represent? Would love to hear different interpretations of this beautiful piece.
Hilda Doolittle's poem didn't really strike a chord with me. It felt overly descriptive and lacking depth.