The Twelve Swans
A dozen swans in the fog, in the anticyclonic
gloom—the fog’s grey gauze veils
their pale necks above traffic,
the way some stories
obscure the work we’ve done
for brothers
while others affirm
our labours, the years spent
knitting tunics from bog cotton
only to see them cast
over bird-shapes that become men—
every single grievance numbered.
Biography: Katherine Meehan lives in Reading. Her poetry has appeared at Bath Magg, The Moth, One Hand Clapping, Ink, Sweat & Tears and others. She's currently working towards her first collection.