And now, the beloved of the soul is a swan that floats in your memory and inner being, making his way across the mill pond of yourself. Rippling love that is forever constant, conquers all, even death. Memory is the one thing in life, that death cannot destroy. A grist mill at the opposite end of the pond grinds grain for nourishment of the body the same way the heart and soul does, making memories for the inner self. This is a silent place of tranquility where the swan goes to nestle and rest at its gliding waters' edge. Just as the swan makes his glide across the flattened mill pond, so are our memories and endearing thoughts encased and lived, there for the taking. The swan with its lovely, striking silhouette, white in color is a symbol of purity; graceful and unassuming, prideful and yet humble. A thing of beauty, as is love so divine. The ugly duckling comes to mind, told at a mother's knee. Struggles, misunderstandings, but as life is lived, something beautiful yet to come.

Another nursery rhyme that a mother would repeat to a child as he begins his journey through this thing called life whenever stumbling blocks get in the way is the train that couldn't and the train that could. The optimistic train that said "I think I can, I think I can." And when all was said and done, he was able to say "I knew I could, I knew I could." This little train could be making his way down a trestle beside the pond where the swan is lowing and waltzing. Both, optimistic and assured, come through adversity and live with the satisfaction that nothing is impossible.

February 26, 2000

Mark Edward Rogers