(a pantoum)
Little seabird with only one foot
Standing perfectly balanced at the shore
You’re so calm, so still
Despite wind-ruffled feathers
Standing perfectly balanced at the shore
You’re a picture of grace
Despite wind-ruffled feathers
For you aren’t alone
You’re a picture of grace
Safeguarded, transcending
For you aren’t alone
Flanked by faithful friends keeping watch
Safeguarded, transcending
You’re so calm, so still
Flanked by faithful friends keeping watch
Little seabird, with only one foot.
As best I can determine, this is a laughing gull, already wearing winter plumage. I thought it was merely standing on one leg before realizing the other foot was gone. I have since learned that such sightings are common: many gulls lose feet and legs when they become entangled in fishing nets while hunting for food. What you cannot see in this close-up are two fellow gulls standing nearby, looking in different directions like bodyguards. I was struck by the poignant poise of this little shorebird and the proximity of the others. Gulls are symbols of adaptability, resourcefulness, community, survival, and strength. Maybe even uncommon grace.
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with thanks to Two Writing Teachers for the Tuesday Slice of Life Story Challenge
lit bits and pieces 
While I, too, wonder about the bird, I am loving your poem, an ode to its survival on one foot.
Kevin
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Tears. I love this! Ruth, thereisnosuchthingasagodforsakentown.blogspot.com
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Oh, so beautiful, Fran. I love the lookouts and this bird’s strength and poise with one foot. Lovely poem.
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I love this poem and the bird’s grace as well! How nice that his/her fellow bird friends are standing guard. You captured it all so nicely in your poem. Thanks for sharing your observations and poetry, Fran.
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I love the form of this poem. It took me a while to discover the progression. I think you’ve posted others in this form. It’s a really powerful kind of repetition…at least it is when you have beautiful lines to repeat, as you do in this one. I love “flanked by faithful friends” (not pictured!), which is often the case with the most faithful friends.
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Your poem is beautiful, Fran!
I’ve never thought about gulls as symbols of adaptability, resourcefulness, community, but you have me convinced!
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