A small boy played with a swan drawing close and retreating close and retreating when she realized his game she paused before him and moved her long neck forward with dignity and the boy became still and apologetic I watched as to the right another less cautious child stood at the end of her mother’s extended arm thigh-deep in the water good morning! good morning! she spoke to each swan that floated past her and each one regarded her with curiosity I made a seat of the wide, shallow stairs that led to the water I folded my arms across my knees and felt the sun on my hair
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