Classic and Contemporary Poetry
SWAN-CHILD, by MARGARET WIDDEMER Poet's Biography First Line: My feet have touched the dancing water Last Line: My lips have kissed the singing rose. Alternate Author Name(s): Schauffler, Mrs. Robert H. Subject(s): Birds; Swans | ||||||||
My feet have touched the Dancing Water, My lips have kissed the Singing Rose And I was born a swan-girl's daughter. . . . Oh, I would stay with you, my lover, But in my heart a sea wind blows And in the dark the wild swans hover. . . . To-night as I went down to sea To cast my net, to draw my net, The Marsh-King's daughter whispered me, "Sister," she called, "do you forget?" For, though I am a fisher's child It was a swan-maid mothered me, And I have wings that I can don When day is done, when dark comes on, To bear me high across the sea. One star-dusk when I waited you And it was long before you came, There was a bird with wings of blue And claws of gold and crest of flame Who sang with words as mortals do: He sang me of an ivory fountain Within a wood beyond a mountain Where lies beneath the water's flow A golden key, a silver cup, Until my hand shall lift them up. . . . (Oh, I must go from you, my lover!) For they were mine once long ago. How shall you keep me, dear my lover? My heart is yours till night-winds call, And then dear earth-things fade and fall (O I was born a swan-girl's daughter!) For I have found beneath the moon Brown fairy fernseed for my shoon That carries me where no man knows, Beyond the sands, beyond the clover. . . . I cannot bide with you, my lover. . . . My feet have touched the Dancing Water, My lips have kissed the Singing Rose. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...LOVE THE WILD SWAN by ROBINSON JEFFERS FLIGHT OF SWANS by ROBINSON JEFFERS TO A WILD SWAN by HENRY MEADE BLAND A STRAW SWAN UNDER THE CHRISTMAS TREE by DENISE LEVERTOV LEDA RECONSIDERED by MONA VAN DUYN A BALLAD OF QUEEN ELIZABETH by MARGARET WIDDEMER |
|