Seagull

A more cheerful poem this time, and more "me"

In your other life, you had to be

a seagull, so my children tell me,

flying free, diving down into the sea

to catch a fish or two.

 

I watch from the ship deck

the sunset sinking slow

giving the deepening blue sky

a splash of golden red as blackness spreads.

 

And then slowly the moon climbs,

a ball of silver in the blackened sky.

And the boat chugs on through the calm 

summer sea, as boats have done through time.

 

Yet my son and daughter wonder, "Who cares

about looking out to sea?” Get us there fast!"

In the slowness of the journey they see

no treasure in the colors of the sky.

 

I flap my seagull wings

and cruise along my beloved sea,

then dip to snag a fish

in my waiting, open mouth.

Reviews

[Samuel Dickens]

This is marvelous. Not only did your words show me lovely scenes, but I smelled the sea, saw the sunset, and more. Being a father and grandfather, I think I know the disappointment of not being understood. You want them to embrace your thoughts and sense of value, yet they don't. Our hope is that they will someday--am I right? When they have lived long enough, they will want to go slow and appreciate God's simple gifts.
I visited Athens several times in 1970 and '71, while in the US Navy. Being young then, I wanted to go fast, thereby missing much of what that wonderful place had to offer.

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Loved your review Samuel. Well put. Yes, you can't force someone to slow down and appreciate life's simple joys, but afterward, they might evolve that way as they grow. So, time for another visit to Athens!

[Einstein Noodle]

ohhhh how i love this .. the scene with your (most) children and the contrast that age and experience sharpens as they flit about with such energy and need for instant most everything .. they will get to that place Ms. Seagull ... sure as rain .. after all we did eh!? love this poem .. the imaging and theme and setting drew me in instantly .. i am not one for the oceans but i have been to a few and have never been able to resist gazing out over the vastness and feeling the power therein .. well done .. i like the rhyming in V1 .. and like it even more as you break from it .. it makes it interesting for me anyway. great stuff .. makes me chuckle at me own 4 children, now all past 40 but one .. and all chasing the "gotta pay the bills/get ahead syndrome" ..me ..... i'm so over it! :))))))))))))))))))))) i am grateful they are all working tho .. no doubt about it
E.

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Hi Einstein, just saw your review (somehow missed it!) So perceptive and I like how you relate the seagull mindset to the get-ahead need of your children (which is quite natural of course!)
S.

[Einstein Noodle]

;) ...............................

[emmajoy]

'.. a splash of golden red as blackness spreads. - And then slowly the moon climbs, - a ball of silver in the blackened sky. .. .. And the boat chugs on through the calm - summer sea, as boats have done through time. '

Yes, yes, and YES! To be a gull, or indeed, any bird .magical! Gulls might be noisy, mischievous creatures but to watch their defiance in/of all weathers, eyes glinting, wings working overtime, should remind human beings that space is where we are meant to be, not caged,. not locked up but - so much more. Your way of touching this or that is special, is full of awareness of what is possible when we emulate Nature and its wee beings: birds in flight, sailing with thermals or cats curled on a shiny spot, hidden, protected but listening aware for anything.. or, life willing - to find peace in its umpteenth life.

As many folk age perhaps they cherish what's left behind, but the young rush about having fun or alternatively sit with techno dreams of reaching the next level! Guess examples need be shown about how to grab life and live it. That said, many children are more aware than adlt indifference. Swings and roundabouts I guess. Your beautiful and calm post has set the mind on thoughts by the hundred, thank you!

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

How much I enjoyed your review Emmajoy. Always someting enviable about being a creature that can flap its wings and go where it wants, obeying nature's laws of course. The going slow and taking in the journey is a reminder to myself too as I get caught up in getting there "fast" the same as youth.
S.

[Chris]

The magic is taken from our world by those lost in their presents.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Oh yes, the allegory here is delightful.
I wouldn't mind coming back as a Seagull, if there is reincarnation.
But those slippery fish may be too evasive...
and I like how this poem reminds us that the journey in life is what is important rather than the destination....wherever we go in life...there we are.
Love all the imagery in this, Sherri.
j.

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Thanks Jacob, loved your comments...reincarnated as a seagull isn't bad at all, I guess you get adept at catching the slippery fish... S.

[barleygirl]

You paint a lively dynamic scene going out to sea with your kids, showing us the scene thru your eyes & thru theirs! Love how you convey your point thru imagery, which is the ultimate in "show instead of tell" and letting the reader take away his/her own different interpretations. It must be challenging to be a mother when your spirit is a seagull (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Loved your comments Margie. Glad you liked the images. I guess mothers can be all sorts of birds and animals! Sherri

[Coyote Poetry]

I prefer a hawk. But good to be free to fly to where we need to be. Hello dear Sherri for sharing your amazing poetry and your thoughts.
Coyote

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Hey Coyote. Both symbols of freedom. A hawk has associations of toughness. Beautiful but frightening bird. A seagull purely bird of the sea ... thanks for comment, Sherri

[Coyote Poetry]

Hello dear Sherri and you are welcome.

[Dave Brown]

always relate to the seagull
we are a seaside community and they are an ever-present part of our environment
Very enjoyable read

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

Thanks Dave, enjoyed your comment

[Chris Shaw]

Young people do not appreciate the wonders of the natural environment. They are impatient to get to their destination and the action. Like you I would have become the seagull in full wondrous flight. Lovely poem I can relate to. Beautifully visual Sherri.

Chris

[Sherri Moshman Paganos]

So true Chris. Always better to be the seagull! Thanks for your comment --
Sherri

[Chris Shaw]

You are welcome :)