It was raining in Brighton
and, strolling back to the car
parked there in Ann Street
from the centre, not far
We paused to admire
on the wall, ‘cross the way
some graffiti scrawled quickly
but with something to say
Seagull silhouetted on the canvas roof
as we sat with cup of tea
in January sunshine there with Sal
and Holly, Grace, Wolfgang and me
He made a happy picture there
synonymous, replete
so I quickly took a picture
making this fine day complete
Perched on railings on Southbank
herring gulls they gather
with an interloper in between
absorbing all the blather
He really doesn't mind of course
although the language of the others
is hard sometimes to understand
he regards them as his brothers
Underneath Blackfriars Bridge
they wait beside the Thames
resting from a day of flight
these feathered seagull friends
In Worthing a seagull perched on a pole
looked out over the sea
surveying the land from birds' eye view
so regal and proud there was he
that I paused for a moment in reverence there
doffing proverbial cap
admiring his stance and the vista below
provided by this handsome chap
I had a private airshow
on the beach the other day
with seagulls showing their prowess
in many different ways
They swooped there and they hovered
diving from up high
then climbing up into the blue
of this late summer sky
I whooped and I applauded
for it was a special show
lasting a few minutes
before off they all did go
As a seagull I flew inland from the sea
Up in a yellow-tinged sky
Looking down with the freedom I commanded in flight
as I swooped and I soared up on high
I watched as the river meandered below
Through the town I am proud to call home
with its cluster of houses gathered close to the sea
over routes I have so often flown
On the beach and a seagull
perched on a post
Him and me there
both making the most
of what has the promise
a fine day to be
one full of sunshine
for both him and me
It was raining in Brighton
and, strolling back to the car
parked there in Ann Street
from the centre, not far
We paused to admire
on the wall, ‘cross the way
some graffiti scrawled quickly
but with something to say
Sitting in the sunshine
by the river at high tide
A seagull came and perched
on the railings by my side
We had a little chat
as it seemed the thing to do
Passing a few pleasantries
before away he flew
I overheard a conversation
above me in the sky
as two seagulls passed up in the blue
casually flying by
But as I am not fluent
in ‘Gull’ I’m sad to say
that I have no idea
of what was said there yesterday
As a seagull I flew inland from the sea
Up in a yellow-tinged sky
Looking down with the freedom I commanded in flight
as I swooped and I soared up on high
Two gulls flew into Manchester
on a rainy winter’s day
Forty miles from coastal waters
for what reason? Who can say?
Perhaps the Irish Sea was too
cold and rough out there
So they fancied flying inland
to a calmer place somewhere
Returning home from travel
never fails to warm my heart
For it always aches a little bit
whenever we’re apart
It a lot about the ocean’s smell
and the freshness of the air
Something that I always miss
whenever I’m not there
Poet's Corner 