there

she was clinging onto my leg, how only kids know how to. it wasn't pushy at all, or demanding, more of a painfully shy and desperate quality. the silence protruded from all three land corners and the rain laid its fine filigree over our souls.
three swans came swimming, gracefully, gently swaying in the waves.
i said, see, don't you wanna sit on the gray one, see, how it is swimming. but she picked and plucked my trousers, hiding behind my right leg, mute but clear, no, mama, don't you see that i don't want him to be with you!???
it was heavy and the rain had penetrated all my layers. soaked and silent. i stood. there.

the gray swan swam away and i felt how she was on his back, somewhat joyful but still distraught. bye, bye, i say, my dearest one, bye bye. almost as if unwilling the swan disappeared in the gray mist. into the mist she disappeared with him and we turned around to walk back.