She grazes her wing
on the powerline during takeoff
releasing something numbered and bright.
Her moment of joy heard above the cattails,
over the wetlands
landing like a lumbering jet on a small island
to inspect for cuts, shake off her upset.
And she is striking.
Her singular charm finer than
the bevy of gray swans,
trumpeting her “oh-OH” over the gamey cobs,
smaller orange beaked mutes who dare to
flip their wings
at white pens like her.
She’ll scan up and down the province,
for days, for some trace
following her cropland forage
timely arrival back to the nest,
her partner still absent
her trumpet song silent
the long winter upon them.
…
Trumpeter swans are incredibly loyal. Once on the endangered species list, they are now seen in various regions across North America, including Alberta, Canada and, Alaska.
- Photo by Lucas Allmann from Pexels
Corney Press 