as we skirted the lake, silent and apart,
The speaker highlights the dynamics of the relationship, which is strained due to unresolved emotions. A lack of communication is evident from the couple walking "silent and apart." At this point in the poem, the couple is clearly dealing with resentment that they choose to bury within themselves rather than confront.
they halved themselves in the dark water,
icebergs of white feather, paused before returning again
like boats righting in rough weather.
The poem presents an extended analogy between nature and humanity in the figures of the weather and the swans. The weather has been turbulent and is still in the process of clearing up, alluding to the rough times the couple has been experiencing. In line 10, the swans separate to navigate the dark water. This suggests the physical and emotional distance that occurs in strained relationships. The "icebergs" refer to the masked and unresolved feelings that the couple is experiencing. However, the swans maneuver through the rough waters. The image of the swans resurfacing in Line 12 "like boats righting in rough weather" echoes "the waterlogged earth / gulping for breath" in Lines 4-5. In this case, water is a symbol of turbulence, while air is resolution.
I noticed our hands, that had, somehow,
swum the distance between us
and folded, one over the other,
like a pair of wings settling after flight.
The natural world prompts the couple to both reflect on themselves and look outside themselves, which has a renewing effect on their relationship. Despite all the conflict that is earlier suggested by the heavy rains, the speaker notices that their hands "had, somehow" come together, seemingly without their noticing. In the phrase "swum the distance between us," the poet returns to the earlier metaphor of water representing distance and separation. The natural world guides and inspires the couple to understand the meaning of partnership and commitment, at least for this moment.
