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 brown
with wings tucked in their sleeves.
They may be only scouting
the source of their next meal,
for now they take off to the air
with energy and zeal.
Soon they’re diving down again,
straight like an arrow shot
into the water’s surface
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 wings and frown?
The NaPoWriMo prompt today is to write a poem about an animal.
lifelessons - a blog by Judy Dykstra-Brown 
What a lovely poem! I love pelicans! I once got close enough in Port Aransas to pet a pelican, and another time in Holly Beach, a friend and I saved one from some fishing line that was preventing her from flying. They are some really majestic birds!
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It kills me to see them tangled up in fishing line or with those plastic soda can rings over their beaks. I saw several people rescue a pelican a few months ago. It was like an adventure movie with a happy ending.
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We were very lucky we didn’t get hurt, I think the poor guy knew we were just trying to help. 😊
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Love your pelican piece, and having lived in Florida for years, the graceful white ones we have here on Lake Chapala seem so much more magestic! Love your poem!
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Thanks, Noreen. That pelican was in La Manzanilla.
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Judy,
One of the warmest description of an animal. I liked this do much, seeing the pelican in a new and better light. It is often only the beauties written of. Lovely post.
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Thanks, Regina. I love love watching the pelicans while I’m out doing my exercises in the ocean and there have been very few in front of my house at the beach for the past two years. I miss them.
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I have never seen one in person. They seem quite expressive.
Here is my expressive fellow. Something tells me you’ll know exactly what I mean:
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Here is my ode to doggie companions and their letter back:
https://judydykstrabrown.com/?s=A+Letter+from+two+bad+dogs
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Oh yes, I can see that you understand each other well. 🙂 We send each other mental letters all the time, don’t we. I hope your allergies have improved.
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They have.
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Funny you should write about Pelicans…..
… I will be back….
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I’m back!
I have got my ‘surprise’ pics scheduled for this morning. With your permission i would like to include this poem with my photos of the Pelican (and friends) in ‘Day Three’.
Suitable credit and a link back to this post will naturally be added. 😉
Love your shot of the brown pelicans on the rock ! 🙂
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Of course you may use it.
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Merci, Madame! 🙂
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