Tuesday 8 January 2019

Gulls

Gulls divebomb each other,
squabble over perching rights
on chimney pots,
throw back their heads
in raucous chorus,
rip rubbish sacks to shreds,
steal chicks from nests
and devour them on the roofs

then launch into the sky
to soar on thermals,
sharp white wings
against the blue.


Originally posted for Sunday Scribblings in 2008. 

I also reposted an old poem on my Shapeshifting Green blog, you can read it here.

26 comments:

murat11 said...

I like the ratatat speed and boogie rhythm of this divebombing poem: raucous...rip rubbish...it rocks.

Granny Smith said...

Words that bite and dazzle and bring to life the active squabbling gulls. Well done!

Anonymous said...

I can practically hear them. Having grown up near the beach, I miss their squawking sounds.

Tammie Lee said...

your words read with wonderful rythm. Telling a strong tale.

Lucy said...

great imagery, I can see them soaring and hear their chorus. :)

Scot said...

strong images--love the end

Becca said...

I agree, the imagery is marvelous here - the rough and raucous gives way to beautiful soaring across the sky.

Janice Thomson said...

This was lovely Juliet - the imagery was fantastic and I felt I was right there. Loved the ending - I like gulls so this was a treat to read.

RG said...

You nailed them from my view point!

Kinda like rabbits ... 49% bad 51% good! Good wins ...

this is my patch said...

Last year we had the seagulls looking to nest behind our chimney stack, we had to remove the makings of three nests. It will be interesting to see if they try their luck again this year? x

June said...

Liked this a lot!

anthonynorth said...

Amazing birds to watch. And how they feed on tourists' fair at the seaside.

Linda Jacobs said...

With just a few finely tuned words, like brushstrokes, you bring the gulls to life!

polona said...

there's a mister hyde in every creature, it seems.
but i love watching gulls soar

Tammy Brierly said...

Gulls have always fascinated me and frustrated me. Your bird poetry always captures their spirits and this one is no exception.

anno said...

I like the sharp earthy contrast of chimney pots, ripping rubbish, and stealing chicks to the ethereal dreaminess of these birds soaring on thermals, "sharp white wings against the blue."

Thanks for your comment on my blog. It brought me here. It's been fun to explore.

Jennifer Hicks said...

divine eloquence!

Unknown said...

I like this line:
rip rubbish sacks to shreds

It is a poetic tongue-twister. It all fits the theme quite well.

Pirate Princess said...

It is very well written - I too can see the images clearly. The ugly with the beautiful....

Anonymous said...

Your poem shows sharp images with a dark edge, just like nature, bringing it all to life in the reader's mind. I especially liked the "soaring" section. Lovely!

San said...

love usage of words here.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Brings memories of the beach -- always a joyful time. Gulls do seem to be cheerfully playing when they glide on the airstreams!

Gwil W said...

"I can't stand noisy neighbours!" - Jonathan Livingston Seagull

Evi Erlinda - Brain Plasticity said...

awesome poem...
greeting- evi erlinda

Lowcarb team member said...

Your words are perfect :)

All the best Jan

Linda said...

They do squabble, don't they! Great description of gulls.