Leda / H.D.

Leda
[[File:Leda_and_the_swan._Engraving_by_L._Garreau_after_J._Verkolye_Wellcome_V0048212.jpg|thumb|400px|Leda and the Swan, engraving by Louis Garreau after Jan Verkolye. Licensed under Creative Commons, courtesy Wellcome Foundation & Wikimedia Commons.

Where the slow river meets the tide, a red swan lifts red wings and darker beak, and underneath the purple down of his soft breast uncurls his coral feet.

Through the deep purple of the dying heat of sun and mist, the level ray of sun-beam has caressed the lily with dark breast, and flecked with richer gold its golden crest.

Where the slow lifting of the tide, floats into the river and slowly drifts among the reeds, and lifts the yellow flags, he floats where tide and river meet.

Ah kingly kiss — no more regret nor old deep memories to mar the bliss; where the low sedge is thick, the gold day-lily outspreads and rests beneath soft fluttering of red swan wings and the warm quivering of the red swan's breast.