Pelicans
They float upon the gentle swells,
with chins tucked in politely.
Of all the birds, most dignified,
their movements never sprightly.
They look like grumpy butlers
named Oliver or Jeeves
in morning coats of softest gray
with wings tucked in their sleeves.
They may be only scouting
the source of their next meal,
for soon they take off to the air
with energy and zeal.
And soon they’re diving down again,
straight like an arrow shot,
down into the shallows
to see what can be caught.
Bobbing once again,
they lift their bills and then let slide
all that’s in their pouches
to another place inside.
I wonder if the fishes flop
all the long way down,
and this is why the pelicans
then fold their arms and frown?
The prompt today is shallow. This poem is a rewrite of a poem published a few years ago..
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
Pelicans are lots of fun to watch — I love the way they brake themselves as they dive into the water, not going much more that a foot into the water! And they’re right on the mark to catch their prey!
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There weren’t very many this year but usually I’m out in the water with them a minimum of an hour a day when I’m at the beach.
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I obviously LOVE birds. I remember seeing so many pelicans on the island of St. John’s in the Virgin Islands.
Love your large close up photo!
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Thanks, udf..your name gives you away as much as your words. I love birds as well. Reason enough to visit the Virgin Islands.
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I have seen lots of pelicans this year off the California coast, and I love them. I never got to see one as close up as your photo, and wow, I appreciate it. Your poem is wonderful too.
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I have a place where I vacation that is right on the beach. There is a fishing fleet nearby so we get lots of birds.
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