Dear LPG,

I have noticed that your poetry pages are not as populated as some of the other featured pages on your website.  This is something which I would like to go some way to changing.   I have undertaken to offer one poem for each of the next twelve months in an attempt to redress this balance, and also to perhaps inspire other poets, both those who have written poems in the past and those who have, until now, kept their poems locked inside their minds, to share their creativity. 

With this in mind, I give you my offering for June …

This poem was inspired by a recent trip back to nature.   There are lots of swans in Kelsey Park, near Beckenham, though I have never actually seen a black one.

SIMON THE SWAN

My name is Simon.

I am a swan.

I am a black swan.

I live in a London park.

Geese, ducks, herons are reluctant neighbours

Because I am a black swan.

I was very lonely and unhappy.

They said swans are meant to be white,

While I am black.

One day, another swan flew in.

Samantha sailed over the pond.

We became close friends, two black swans.

We got together,

Built our nesty house.

Come spring, there were three little ones.

They are Steven, Sally, and Sylvia.

Now our family of black swans

Is the main park attraction.

I am a proud dad,

No longer lonely and unhappy.

Samantha and I will always be together

White swans, black swans,

Whatever our colour,

The Queen will protect us.

Foster Murphy 9/08/19.