we stumble through the pain of every day
knotted with need to get things done
doing the clown walk, like a walking swan.
and death, our falling off
the earth we walk on every day
is the swan’s apprehensive flop
into the water that is his home. It takes him to itself
so lovingly, a supporting strong embrace,
as he with endless calm and poise
the expert ruler of his world
entrusts himself completely to the new.
Rilke