Duckling Tune At Eastertide

(for Hans Christian Andersen and his story, "The Ugly Duckling")

they rained down so many blows on you
poor little duckling
how could you even remember the swans.

i think of you this Easter day
in the old storybook pictures
chased from the door

with a broom
by folkloric householders.
this is to you my duckling tune.

among the pond lilies and the sodden drip drops of rain.
duckling no one ever claims.
sweet downy one.

look there is the sun.
there is the warming of feathers
by someone celestial.

brighter days will come.
soon the swans will fly over
and your heart will know

the snows will pass my duckling
the snows will pass.
your painful past.
no more "Alas!" in the looking glass waters.

mary angela douglas 12 april 2020