Swan Spirit Requests Meeting With Prospect Park Counseling Staff

The Swan Spirit (or “Kami” as Japanese Shinto practitioners refer to the spirit-essences behind natural phenomenon, in this case the lofty white waterfowl) has officially requested a meeting with park counseling staff, according to the Prospect Park Alliance.

“She approached one of the members of our grounds staff to open a line of communication,” said Kumiko Hayashi, Prospect Parks’s Director of Kami Relations. “Actually I suppose I’m not sure it’s a ‘she.’ I want to say she—I think it was a she. But it’s hard to know with nature spirits.”

Ms. Hayashi reports that the Swan Kami wishes to meet with a counselor to discuss the emotional and psychological effects of New York’s on-again-off-again swan population management policies.

“Currently, the Swan Kami’s children are protected by a two year moratorium on swan euthanasia,” explained Hayashi, referring to the bill signed by Governor Cuomo last winter, “But the emotional effects of the past few years must be severe. Even the fiercest of us need support sometimes. I’m not surprised she wants someone to talk to.”

Ms. Hayashi wished to clarify that “children” is not exactly the right word for the relationship between the flesh-and-blood swans of our dimension and the spiritual dimension of the Kami from which they emanate.

“It’s complicated,” said Hayashi.

But fortunately, The Prospect Park Alliance Volunteer Counselor Program is anything but complicated, with a network of therapists from across the city.

“She should have the opportunity to meet with someone well-qualified within a few days,” said Hayashi, “A week at the most. I’m glad she was able to reach out for help.”