Read "Leda" by Hilda Doolittle online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
Where the slow river / meets the tide, / a red swan lifts red wings / and darker beak, / and underneath the purple down / of his soft breast / uncurls his coral feet.
Through the deep purple / of the dying heat / of sun and mist, / the level ray of sun-beam / has caressed / the lily with dark breast, / and flecked with richer gold / its golden crest.
Where the slow lifting / of the tide, / floats into the river / and slowly drifts / among the reeds, / and lifts the yellow flags, / he floats / where tide and river meet.
Ah kingly kiss -- / no more regret / nor old deep memories / to mar the bliss; / where the low sedge is thick, / the gold day-lily / outspreads and rests / beneath soft fluttering / of red swan wings / and the warm quivering / of the red swan's breast.