TO WALK WITH PELICANS
(dedicated to Al Purdy)

by Eleanore Kosydar
Ontario, Canada

waddling blithely
on wondrously webbed feet,
drunk on sweet savory
brinehuge hungry beaks
dripping fish...

what is it like
to walkwith pelicans
by the spell of the moon
talk with pelicans, plunge
into tomorrow
mouthwideopen
accepting whatever comes,
be it famineor feast:
slim silvery sardines
slithery sea vegetables
softslipperyjellyfish...

do pelicans sometimes
swallowsurprises?
spit out, reject bits
of stinging, stinking slime
or do they justtake it all
in,every last bit
swallow, secrete, absorb it
and, transformed
utter prayerful thanks
in gurgles, gulps
and greatgasps!

 

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