A wounded gull now hobbled lame
across the sands, unnoted
By people who had other goals
to which they were devoted
A broken wing had caused the gull
this great indignity
No longer could he feed himself
or ply the wind so free
I thought this was a cause unjust
and I should intercede
To give this bird a second chance
and fill a greater need
To lend a hand to nature’s least
I used some shrimp to lure
He gobbled down my meager fare
but still was not secure
And there I was with noble plans
but they had come to naught
The gull just screeched and hopped away
for he would not be caught
So nature’s way will run its’ course
the bird will surely die
and I the one to feel remorse
but grown men shouldn’t cry
I often think about that scene
where wounded gulls can’t fly
and whisper thankful prayers for there
but by God’s grace go I
Comments
1 - 14 of 14
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This is very sad for the seagull, and he didn't even want to e caught. Poor thing, wonderful detail work. Love the nature of this poem.
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So sad!
Yes, this is a sad plight of nature...but I really like the way you turned it into a comment on how we as people can be wounded too.
"and whisper thankful prayers for thee
but for the grace of God go I"
A lovely poem with great rhyme and flow and a lesson for the reader too!
My best regards,
DeGraw -
Mmm I've seen many a wounded gull, and wonder how they manage to survive...I enjoyed reading this, a thought provoking write.
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Fabulous Pen!
Again and again you keep coming up with them! Put some in a few contests won't you? they're great!
Best regards,
Jennifer
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When I lived on the peninsula of Washington state, I would go to the Burger King close to the shore and buy two large orders of french fries and sit and feed the gulls. They would come so near I could almost touch them, but they only came just bearly close enough. Not that I'd want to catch one.
They are out of reach, but they never seemed to get enough, wanting more and more although I had given all I had to them. Sometimes they would follow my car from the parking lot hoping I'd come back for more. Such a sad thought.
This is so beautifully written, Leo. It's actually quite sad. Patricia
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First of all.......so very GOOD of you that you didn't call it a "SEAGULL"
Your kind heart shows through in your hope to save this bird. I this a true story? Wonderful imagery.
Cheryl
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Helpless, but ...
by God's grace we "grow"! Your sad but poetic tale holds much to ponder over and there have been many instances when we gaze in the mirror of life and realize that we have been like that bird. Lesson's are sometimes hard learned and "if it's going to be ... it's up to me!" Nicely written in good poetic form.
joy
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Myra's words echo my own thoughts, Leo. We can only do what we are meant to do but we can attempt that which cannot be.
I too cherish each day, each moment, and all that God has brought me, even the discomfort I live with each day and night. It could be much worse and there, as with the gull, but for the Grace of God, go I.
I find a softness in this beautiful poem, an acceptance of nature's will.
Dee
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Oh Leo ...
you have expressed so well what I feel every single day of my life: becoming the wounded gull, the mutilated soul, feeling their pain ... crying their sorrow.
We can but give what we are capable of. And what is accepted. For: to understand the brokenness, we must not compare it with wholeness. Please think deeply about this ...
Blessed be, Amigo.
Love
Myra
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Awesome
The ebb and flow of this is perfect. You did yourself proud with this piece. Pen on fellow poet...
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The sadness is palpable in this, as if the gull is the only friend in the world yet won't come for the sake of even a meal. Nicely done. Love, C
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It's not such a stretch anymore to see myself in the same predicament.
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But remember a gull is not a solitary creature it always has a flock, but people have to extend arms of friendship to find theirs.
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My dear Leo, the noble cause was in feeding him. Much like helping caterpillars across the road, we do it because we have a great sense of all that is around us. These are some of life's little blessings. You gave this bird a feast that the others couldn't dive deep enough to get, possibly to the gull you gave him a feast fit for a king. That we shared with the world around us. That cared enough to do so. I'm right! You are a wonderful man!
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