I watched as swans went gliding by,
Gazing at gracefulness so sleek,
Then spied a dancing dragonfly,
Displaying its beauty, so unique.

And as I sat down by the stream,
The swans majestic, drifted on,
A sight of enchantment so supreme,
As on this scene, the sunbeams shone.

With rippling sounds that filled the air,
So restful that such a gentle tune,
Made this a place extraordinaire,
There, this mild summer afternoon.

The wind moved softly down the creek,
And whispered to the swaying grass,
As if to say, with tongue-in-cheek,
Bow down. Let me unhindered pass.

And so the swans sailed out of view,
Around the bend and out of sight,
The dragonfly with thoughts anew,
Flew off into the warm sunlight.

Thus I was left to contemplate,
How calm and still, this quiet place,
How such a spot can encapsulate,
And my weary heart to so embrace.

Ernestine Northover

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/summer-afternoon/