ATC by Gail D., Canada

The Swan

She paddles in quickly,

Nodding this way and that

Eyes ever moving, counting her chicks

Checking for danger

Ready to see anything coming

If possible before it happens

She settles in and relaxes

Then slowly opens like a water lily

Petal after waxy petal

Some decorated delicately with dew

Others, deeper, lower down,

Tough as elder sisters,

Their arms stretching full out

Then folding, holding all the others

Close to her bosom.

- Mary Billy, Canada

from Over The Falls