Bio
Janet Wainscott lives near Christchurch, New Zealand, and writes poetry and essays. She is a part-time literacy tutor and tries to write most days. Her poetry has appeared in various local (NZ) literary magazines and in Shot Glass Journal.
Janet Wainscott
On Seeing a Wild White Swan
Here black swans
are not unexpected; we barely
notice vast flocks that seethe
on shallow lakes. Surprise is not
their existence, but the white
flash under their wing in flight
catches you off-guard.
Here we do not expect
white swans, except those
with clipped wings in public parks
or soap dishes
gathering dust in bathrooms
of restored villas