Rick Drost

Lyrics

Sunrise gleams on Park Street spires,
Warblers waken; we arise.
“Good morrow, Coz!” we hear them here
below.
Bleacher-fans and Brahmins know
We’re Juliet and Romeo,
Two swans on garden pond, out turning slow.

We’re christened lovebirds, best of breed,
They placed us in our willowed Eden,
Snowy white on emerald green
To glide in graceful dance serene.
Inspiring love in all who’ve seen us
At our silent minuet,
Though there’s no Romeo between us:
Both of us are Juliet.
Eye to eye and breast to breast
Each doubled twice; our waves caress us.
Ask and listen; curtsy, bow.
Who bowed the last will curtsy now.

As changes ring on carillon
At noon they bring the swan boats ‘round.
Cygnets come from far and wee
To ride on back so tranquilly.
Perhaps a flame-haired, freckled lad
Gives our thoughts voice, and asks his dad
Which swan would be Romeo; who Juliet would be.
“Who will build our nest today?”
“If I warm the eggs we lay,
Would you draw a foe away?”
Turn by turn our love will stay.

Turning world streams setting sun down
Newbury as evening light
Gilds cathedral elms up from below.
Brownstone, redbrick, verdigris facades
Will bow and wink as we’re
Now mirrored in vermilion, turning slow.

Heart to heart and face to face
Necks acurve a third heart trace:
With wings unclipped by love we’ll fly
Circling stars in Sapphire sky,
We’ll glide... and decide...
Which swan will be Romeo; who’s Juliet tonight.

Sun rides in on morning tide
We turn and glide again
“Good morrow Coz”: the song rings from above.
We’re Romeo and Juliet
To Trustees and to trenchermen;
To feathered friends we’re just two swans in
love.