"Winter Swans" is a poem by contemporary British poet Owen Sheers. The premise of the poem is relatively straightforward: a couple who are having difficulties in their relationship go for a walk. It's been raining for days, seemingly reflecting the mood between the two people. While on their walk, the couple encounter some swans on a lake. The beauty and majesty of these swans gently remind the couple of the importance of their love, and by the poem's close, they are holding hands. Sheers's poems are often set in similar natural environments, and he is the anthologist behind A Poet's Guide to Britain—which groups together other nature poems along with some based in cities as well.
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The clouds had ...
... at our feet
as we skirted ...
... tipping in unison.
As if rolling ...
... in rough weather.
'They mate for ...
... the stilling water.
I didn't reply ...
... distance between us
and folded, one ...
... settling after flight.
Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.
An Interview with Owen Sheers — Owen Sheers answers question in a piece produced by the Welsh Joint Education Committee.
"The Wild Swans at Coole," by W.B. Yeats — A poem that features swans by one of the 20th century's most famous Irish poets, William Butler Yeats.
More Poems by Sheers — A valuable resource containing other poems by Sheers—and recordings.
Swans Themselves — A BBC article that looks at the history—and some of the myths—relating to swans.
"Why The Swan," by Andrew Lambeth — Another contemporary poem in which swans play an important role.