Swan, River, Lake by David Taylor

A ripple meets the river bank
The paddling swan now passing by
He leaves his mark sparkling in the sun
His future path has yet swum.

You and the sun, and I a swan
These words a string of ripples
As I swim on, and you shine
On my future path I must go by.

These words from movements past
Or freshly now as rippled meanings
Gently flow across the mind
Made silver by your light.

No river for these ripple writ
No cygnet for a swan beget
Not any meaning in this verse
Except your shining makes
As river seek to merge with lakes.