I named them Jack & Rose
And they were the most romantic, glamorous geese
This side of the neighbourhood
They weren’t really supposed to be here, everyone
Commented, but look how adorable they are
Two little beaks against the world
Curled side by side on the manicured lawn
By the neighbours’ turquoise beach chairs
Like they were on their honeymoon
I described their epic love story to my boyfriend
Did you know swans mate for life?
I know Jack & Rose are also together forever
Yesterday I found Jack alone, curled on the grass
Looking too small without Rose
Today I saw Jack wandering too close to the street
Looking for something over and over again
Today I saw Jack standing in the street
Not moving when a car grazed his wing
I stopped and stared
My heart with his, lonely on the meridian
You jinxed it by naming them Jack & Rose, says my sister
There are coyotes in the neighbourhood, you know, says my dad
My boyfriend just looks sad, like maybe they had been our
Good luck charm after a shit year
I hope Jack hangs in there
I guess I knew that life is almost never fair
And yet – I had remembered the violins, the dancing, but somehow
Had managed to forget how The Titanic actually ends
Hannah is a writer and filmmaker living on the traditional & unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations (Vancouver, BC). You're welcome to connect with her on Twitter @hannah_siden or at https://www.hannahsiden.com.