Forever Broken

As the evening sun melted slowly into the horizon
Long shadows fell upon the shimmering lake,
And in the twilight
Two swans moved gracefully together,
Their elegance
Silhouetted in the glow of the fading light.
Lost in each other's company they would roost the night,
Till dawn's early light began yet another day.
Like soulmates
They seemed truly pledged in their love,
And whilst she preened, he swam around
Head held high.
She began to build their nest gathering reeds and grasses,
He would keep guard
Vigilantly observing every movement.
Now and again though he would suddenly take flight,
Leaving her alone on the lake
And not returning for hours.
Their nest was almost ready and their courtship blossomed,
But then suddenly
He took off again and this time she followed.
Through green valleys over trees and rugged hills he soared,
Then down he glided
Homing in on another lake below.
He circled a reed bed
Where another swan appeared with cygnets,
And along the lake they paddled
Shading under the willows.
He had no idea
That he was being followed by the one he'd deceived,
She suddenly landed in front of them
And attacked him with wild fury.
Broken hearted and bruised
She managed to make it back home,
No eggs were laid in the nest
It deteriorated as the seasons past.
She was often approached for courtship
By other handsome swans,
But she would peck at them and flick out her wings
In blind anger.
Her dreams ended long ago
Something had died deep inside,
She seemed indeed
Forever broken.

                 TjHatton     19/10/13.