What is the meaning of swan and shadow by hollander?

In John Hollander's poem "Swan and Shadow," the swan and the shadow represent two aspects of the human condition: the pursuit of beauty and the inevitability of death. The poem begins with the speaker describing the swan as "a white perfection," a creature that is both graceful and powerful. The swan's whiteness suggests its purity, while its flight suggests its freedom and independence. However, the speaker also notes that the swan's shadow is "darkening the water." This shadow represents the darker side of life, the reality of death and mortality.

The poem then goes on to explore the relationship between the swan and its shadow. The speaker notes that the swan's shadow is "a part of it," and that the two are "inseparable." This suggests that death is an integral part of life, and that we cannot have one without the other. However, the speaker also notes that the swan's shadow is "always behind it," suggesting that death is something that is always lurking in the background, waiting to claim us.

The poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on the meaning of the swan and its shadow. He notes that the swan is "a symbol of beauty and grace," but that it is also "a reminder of death." He suggests that we must accept both sides of life, the beautiful and the dark, and that we must find a way to live in peace with our own mortality.

"Swan and Shadow" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complex relationship between beauty and death. The poem's imagery is rich and evocative, and its message is both timely and universal.