Beautiful Swan [rev] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Sunday revealed the joy brought forth without my
realising it: softly, secretive, after my saying Friday
that anything wonderful could befall - and it did, my
eldest, my darling wayward daughter, Carine, very
courageous and confused; called to say that while
she packed to leave for the Cape she found letters

I'd sent expressing how much I loved her and that
she loved me too, that I was the only mother she
ever knew- although not precisely true, there was
another who died in fire - purging her from all that
went wrong - whom I shall always honour for her
gift to me - birthing Carine and handing the little

Girl to me to cherish - thank you Leonie, I shan't
ever forget you brought Carine into being & then
entrusted her to my care so I could learn from her
and share her with my twin, my beloved Duchess,
Carine enriched my lonely life, cleared up some
mysteries; now Carine has found Michael

Loving her with the name of an archangel & such
a cute face, thus there are even MORE legions of
loving guardian angels around you - Carine - and
as you move away to the far-off Cape where my
darling Duchess is waiting to welcome you in De
Rust before you move to George, I send my love

In a golden light with you - I shall always love my
little girl who at 6 years old so bravely pulled on the
hosepipe to water the garden at your dad's, our Lord
and Master of the Crocodile Castle, behest; today I
understand you chose the role of Ugly Duckling as
your life's fairy story and now you sail forth as the

Beautiful swan you have become like you planned
before you filled this life with powerful intrigue, first
leading you away from us - then bringing you back
to my love again - dearest Carine!