A Circular Moment
The day was sunny, clouds that usually hide the naked blueness took the day off. The sun stood alone in the sky, like the champion stands over the defeated. The blueness of the sky mesmerized all who looked up. The sun’s rays touched everything; nothing could hide. A steady, crisp breeze diluted the sun’s omnipotence and sang in the ears of all who could hear. Two unfamiliar swans found the same pond by happenstance. The male swan introduced himself with a graceful gait that broke the still water. His entrance was clumsy— it agitated and startled the female swan.
“Good day madam,” he began, unaware of his horrible first impression, “today is another day under the grace of our Creator.”
“Why…yes,” she replied, surprised by his confidence, “that it is indeed. The seasons change as time bleeds.”
“Time… does… bleed,” he responded with unassured awkwardness, “with no one to clean its blood. But, why such sober talk on a sunny day? Let’s not waste our vitality on futility.”
The female swan replied with silence and idly swam to the center of the pond. The male swan instinctively followed.
“Um ex…ex-use me madam,” he shyly asked, “can we end the small talk? The southern breeze has brought us here. Can we deny that destiny is at work?”
“Why is it you speak of destiny and nature, what are you implying? Don’t deflect responsibility, time is bleeding. Nevertheless, neither destiny nor nature brought me here. This pond is my home, the very place I grew up. The very place I buried my parents. And, where I will be buried.”
She swam away from the male swan, with pride and strategy in her heart. As she thought to herself, “It is only when I am pursued do I become swift.”She had no need to look to see if he followed. She knew his eyes were upon her. She swam not too fast, nor too slow. She yearned a chase, and desired capture.
The male followed, with veiled eyes and heart. He convinced himself nature and destiny led him to the southern breeze which guided him to this pond. His instinct to love and be loved usurped both reason and emotion. His only desire was to get more attention from the conceited swan. He knew she was different; rather, this moment was different. The grass had a glosser green, the trees stood upright, and the breeze was always at his back. Something unusual was happening, but the answer lay with the female swan.
The male, after contemplation, pondered what to ask next. He spoke without thinking.
“Madam, if you may—”
“Sir,” she interrupted, “you suggested no more small talk, so please keep your word. I have a question for you.”
He nodded his head in approval.
“You speak of nature and speak of chance as bringing you here, but they were only a means to get here. Why do you stay? Have you lost something or are you looking for something?”
“Ha, my darling, you speak of free will. What keeps me here is an unanswered question. Tell me this and all my curiosity will be cured. The question needs no philosophizing about, I only ask that you speak from the heart. Tell me, what is love to you?”
The female swan swam away, slowly but with a pensive pace. She turned the question over in her mind as the cow mulls on grass. She reached dry ground and waddled to the shade. He followed as if she were his shepherd. He sat next to her in the shade.
She broke the heavy silence, “To love is to understand.”
His reply was sharp and passionate, “Well I hope you understand that our love will be forever.”
“He who returns has never left.”
