There’s a time on glistening waters,
Where the Sun’s neck rubs its final streaks
Of sunlight - onto an infinite river.
This boundless stream,
Flows through the heart of the Universe.
In which lives - a Swan named Freedom.
This Swan swims upright,
With a curvature of the neck –
Falling in graceful submission to the World.
You see, this waterbird
Isn’t any normal creature, it’s a hopeful wanderer –
And its eyes are beads of Outlook.
So, when the waters dial down –
And recede from their fetal position,
They allow each Embryo of Desire, to hatch into existence.
And the Swan, named Freedom, swims –
Through the never-ending stream, in the never-ending Valley,
That carries each expectation
In foams of bubbly Hope.
This Swan never stops,
Nor ever tires,
But it’s one goal in life is to swim.
So as it does so, it passes by
Red maple trees which seem to be dancing with the wind –
But this Swan doesn’t look nor glance at the leaves or the limbs –
But it maintains its beady eyes aimed -
Aimed towards the Horizon.
With trickles of sparkle and whim.
Yet within,
The flowing waters that engulf
The webbed feet of the Swan roll with a strange zeal.
It’s a passion that twinkles glowing
Cope towards all the hardships,
And it’s a passion that knows it’s better to Hope.
And in reaching a certain point in the Valley,
The Swan that bobs in the glistening waters –
Is faced with images – which begin:
It first passes by an open field to its left
Which is luscious - growing rich,
But despite the superficial beauty, the Swan can’t help but notice –
The laborers that work,
And continue to work in the meadows of the Rich.
They all seem to endlessly work and sweat and drip –
And it’s all tied up with one strange task –
Cotton, cotton, cotton.
Day and night these men and women carry out their duties,
With a desperate need for Hope –
And a desperate call for kin –
And the sweat upon their skin – reflects a greater future
Within.
And the Swan, named Freedom, swims - towards their direction.
It gracefully leaps onto the wet grass,
And bows with straightened neck and spread wings,
And it does so as a message – for perseverance.
So the Swan jumps back into the stream – and swims.
Upon a second encounter,
This time to the right,
The Swan lays its beady eyes upon a group of young children –
However,
They weren’t playing ball or frolicking –
But rather reaching into sharp machines –
Their clothes were ragged
And their eyes were dim –
With charcoal dust swaying in the wind.
And the faces that were grim,
Wrapped in dirt and cough and substance,
Could only hope that innocent hope,
Within.
And the Swan, named Freedom, swims - towards their direction.
It nimbly hops onto the hard ground,
And bows with straightened neck and spread wings,
And it does so as a message – for perseverance.
So the Swan jumps back into the stream – and swims.
Then came a third image,
It was again to the left,
And now there were colors in the air.
There were women marching on what seemed a street,
And they were stomping with long hair.
There was a pink hue which filled the atmosphere,
And some held signs that read their prayers,
And some were bald, and some were blonde,
But they were fighting for one cause,
And they were determined to win.
With the warrior spirit in,
And the will on every lifted chin,
They cried a message for equalness,
Within.
And the Swan, named Freedom, swims - towards their direction.
It hopefully bounces onto the rough concrete,
And bows with straightened neck and spread wings,
And it does so as a message – for perseverance.
So the Swan jumps back into the stream – and swims.
Then came a final display,
Which brushed past on the right,
And there were people of all orientations, all types, all skin –
And they were rallied for a hope – of better days,
That sat fervent in every grin.
And this time the skies were full of rainbows – abundant.
Each person that was there, were all different in their own way,
But they each were paving the way, for the future –
Where each child can be firm in their identity, without repercussion.
So the Swan bowed, and jumped back into the river.
And that is when it realized the water wasn’t all that clear,
But actually a bloody red.
Its wings were covered with the scarlet color.
But the Swan stayed fixed on its main purpose.
In the Valley of Veins that swan would swim –
With beady eyes fixed straight - to the Horizon.
-
Author:
Rocky Lagou (
Offline) - Published: March 28th, 2022 11:03
- Comment from author about the poem: Wow, it feels so refreshing to be back from my little hiatus. I hope everyone stayed safe and continued writing marvels. This poem is a little long, but I hope it touches your heart. It's another example of my human rights poetic side. 💖✍
- Category: Sociopolitical
- Views: 42
- Users favorite of this poem: Paul Bell, theneophiles_words
Offline)
Comments12
Very beautiful and descriptive,I can picture her in my mind
Thank you so much! I really wanted to express this swan as a graceful creature that can delicately advocate for freedom. There's so much oppression in the world and I wanted to express a message of Hope! The final lines also have some deeper meaning. But I think I'll wait a bit more before revealing it. Have a lovely day! ✨
When you think about it, it's actually very spiritual
An intriguing vision with vivid images and great metaphors. Swans are one of the few monogamous animals and though freedom and fidelity appear opposites fidelity to the concept of freedom seems consistent. The last lines I take as freedom is at the cost of sacrifice and often blood. Very well done
Yes! You've definitely grasped the message. Although what you mention is true, I tried to steer away from the swan itself and more on the symbolism it represents. Thanks for the fun fact though I actually didn't know that about swans. And you've definitely hit the target with deciphering the final lines. Freedom may seem like such an intangible thing at times especially during the times were living in, but it's nice to see the progress we've made. However, sadly, many times that has to be brought about by sacrifice. So, the "bloody water" is a hint to that sacrifice. I also included a double entendre with those final lines since I try to allude to the fact that although we all have our differences and conflicts, we are all connected by our human nature. And we all have blood flowing through the "valley of our veins." I really appreciate your thoughtful comment and may you have a wonderful day!
Well I read it to the end and enjoyed every word - An intriguing write.
Hi Michael! It's such a pleasure to be recognized from such a talented writer (and artist) like you! I truly pour my heart into my works so to see you enjoyed it makes me jolly. May you have a wonderful day! ✨
Well, I took half a day to read it but I got it done. What a read!! Such descriptive metaphors and what a better animal to write about than the swan? I suppose the swan named freedom could represent the people of Ukraine and their current struggle represented by the bloody river. I don't know for sure, hope I didn't misrepresent! Keep writing these wonderful writes!!!
Thank you so much Christina! Sorry for the length, I got a little carried away. But it's so nice to see your enthusiastic reply! Swans are truly graceful creatures and I wanted to express freedom as a thing that is attained via grace. So it's so nice to see your interpretations, Ukraine is surely another way to look at it that is apt for the overall message. Have a beautiful day! 💖
The world sure needs hope, Ukraine especially. Whatever is over the horizon must be grasped, and grasped now.
Yes Paul! The world is in meshes currently and I really wanted to lighten up the atmosphere by creating a message for HOPE and PERSERVERANCE, which can all lead to freedom. I really appreciate your comment and your "fave" of this poem, have a blessed day!
this is write up my street Rocky .. long it may be but every word needed to be writ ...................................... you can beat an egg, but you can't beat freedom can ya ............ Neville
Yes, indeed, Neville! Thanks for your kind comments, I really appreciate it! The poem is is more extensive than I would've liked it to be but like you mentioned, I felt that every word was needed to create an integrated whole. So it's really nice to see you enjoyed it! Have a great day! ✨
Good write R.
Hey Orchi! Thank you kindly for taking some time to stop by and leave a comment! I truly cherish when people share their thoughts with others on their works and I always try my best to do so with other poets. Have a lovely day! 💖
The other comments say it,enjoy your day
Hehe! You're so kind! Thanks for your appreciation! Have a great day as well!
Wow !
Rocky you Rock !!
A swan a metophor for Paramahamasa
Swan is so sacred in philosophy
Only creature which separates the water from the milk...
A very interesting write and loved reading all along !! Thankls
Thank you so much for such enthusiasm! That's the first time I've heard that, "Rocky you rock!" You're a clever one! I truly appreciate your time and I'm so delighted to see you enjoyed the poem and the message. I also believe that swans are such graceful creatures and their symbolism throughout philosophy and spirituality is so fascinating. Have a great day! 💖
Thank you so much for such enthusiasm! That's the first time I've heard that, "Rocky you rock!" You're a clever one! I truly appreciate your time and I'm so delighted to see you enjoyed the poem and the message. I also believe that swans are such graceful creatures and their symbolism throughout philosophy and spirituality is so fascinating. Have a great day! 💖
With swan as the metaphor you painted life of a human who visits and meets many people but he never forgets its own purpose. He listens to all but attends to none. He learns from all so that he could complete his purpose at last. Wonderful and enjoyable poem.
Wow, I'm going to be completely honest with you, I never interpreted the swan in that way, BUT, reading the context clues, you're so right! You see that's why I love poetry. A single poem can be seen and understood in varying ways and that is so lovely. I had intended the swan to be more of like a harbinger of good news and freedom but it is totally applicable to us humans as well. Regardless of the world, focus on your path and assure you reach your own horizon. Thanks for giving me new enlightenment, on my own work, hehe😅 , have a lovely day! 💖
This piece is very amazing! Those lines were just beautifully articulated in a single poem. Thanks for this!
Oh, I'm beyond flattered Jem, you are such a gem! I wanted to express a sort of travel through history and a witness to all the moments where people were unfairly treated or fought for freedom. So I wanted to depict that with a graceful metaphor, a swan. It's still something we all fight for. Thank you for the compliments and have a wonderful day!
A metaphoric wonder of Richful thought; Vivid images entwined through the thread of hope. Definitely, something that speaks about your style. These lines 'But actually a bloody red. Its wings were covered with the scarlet color. But the Swan stayed fixed on its main purpose' explains so much more than it states. Well, let's say that you had me with you and the Swan to the Horizon.
Hehe! You're so generous! It's truly so delightful to see you comment on my works! I, personally, look up to your poems as they're always so meaningful and full of thought. It's also nice to see you noted those deep final lines. Although freedom may look like something so graceful and beautiful like a swan swimming through an "endless stream," the reality is that bloodshed often occurs in order to finally reach that point of peace. It's also a woven metaphor that describes how we're all connected via our blood to raise awareness of the chaos in the world and to truly seek that freedom that we all deserve. Thanks so much for such sweet words! Have a marvelous day! ✨🦢
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