we stumble through the pain of every day

knotted with need to get things done

doing the clown walk, like a walking swan.

 

and death, our falling off

the earth we walk on every day

is the swan’s apprehensive flop

 

into the water that is his home. It takes him to itself

so lovingly, a supporting strong embrace,

as he with endless calm and poise

the expert ruler of his world

entrusts himself completely to the new.

 

Rilke