Seal

Swimming sublimely in the surf

Environment is everything when you're 90percent blubber

Although on shore you look black and sleek in your wet suit rubber

Life is full of little wrinkles.

The Sea

"Sea", say it again!

Splashing, sun, soaring clouds, shining sea

And the sky...

Oh the blue, endless bright blue

Azure arch of the heavens

As if a golden gateway

Blue, blue blue

Unbroken, unmatched...sky high,

Seagulls fly!

Salty spray, ocean wide, flecked with white

As far as sight.

Rock ledge, lands edge

Brittle wedge of grey granite.

The pecking gull,

Snail spotting in the seaweed strewn pool

A moist, tender belly - upturned,

Withering noonday heat and webbed feet

Drying and dying.

The boat bobs benignly,

Just out of reach

Of the surf roaring onto the beach.

"Sea", say it again!

Summertime's soft sand on a lonely strand

Bees in the heather, warmer weather

Couples together

Walk hand in hand.

Joe Morriss

June 2004