Swann in attendance
at Duc de X—-‘s luncheon
caught grandfather’s ear

Swann’s friends were common
by association,
revealed grandmother

early Swann of my mind
charming mistakes of my youth–
his aquiline nose

Swann plays piano–
our Combray garden not
high clubs and salons

in evening clothes
from dining “with a princess”–
aunt’s sarcasm, knits

peeping over glasses,
she queries Swann on his
common lodgings

amusing stories
and a dull preciseness–
my great aunt doubts Swann

Swann’s secret
of a brilliant social life
kept him in our caste

hand across forehead,
eyes rubbed and glasses wiped–
dead wife remembered

fetching the liquers
to appear ordinary–
Swann’s voice