by Carol Ekster.
He dives head first for his dinner.
In his bill, whisker like,
the gull’s prey excites.
It drops from the skies,
landing with a crack.
Was this a purposeful, compassionate act?
Honking loudly with pride
his eight legged conquest,
is being eaten alive.
As he pokes at the crab’s flesh
I see the claws move
like a flower that slowly wilts.
The gull glances around with suspicious guilt.
Does he ponder the death
of the crustacean he’s killed?
Do I turn my head? No!
Though I feel like an intruder,
I can’t look away,
I’m captivated by nature’s way.
I continue to stare
with the gull aware I’m no threat.
It’s part of the puzzle
I hadn’t seen yet.