Black Swan
Gregory Piko
at dawn
you will rise
with the lightness of old
a splendid black swan
gliding over Yerrabi Pond
your body suspended, floating
in that fragile realm
between water, and air
too slight to break
the surface, as perfect
as a water nymph
at dusk
you will love
with the lightness of old
a slender head
turning to welcome
a weary cygnet
seeking refuge in a cradle
of sturdy wings
your long, red beak
delicately rearranging
an errant feather
Gregory Piko was joint winner of the WB Yeats Poetry Prize. His poems have also been commended in the Glen Phillips Poetry Prize and the New Zealand International Poetry Competition. His writing has appeared in Westerly, Meniscus, StylusLit, the Liquid Amber Prize Anthology, Poetry for the Planet, Poetry d'Amour, Authora Australis, Communion Arts Journal and The Canberra Times among other places. Please visit www.gregorypiko.com.