Paul Willason | + Follow Poet |
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The Crab

The storm had loosened
the crabs last desperate grip
and lifted it up
on a wave,
flung it onto rocks to let
it die on its back. 

I looked at it with pity,
picked it up and set it down,
right way up. In death,
its claws still held strands 
of bright green weed,
the shell bore a fatal crack.

In two minds, I left it there
rather than put it back
into the sea.
Soon, two seagulls squabbled 
over its carcass. For me,
the crab was a niggling
reminder of mortality, 
to the seagulls, a meal
gifted by serendipity.

Copyright © Paul Willason | Year Posted 2024

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Daniel Henry Rodgers Date: 6/5/2024 6:07:00 AM Hey Paul, I could really feel the hard hit of this one! I think what I really liked was the way you captured that little guy's struggle against that forever ruthless storm and yet his ultimate ending. I loved your details like the cracked shell and green weed in his claws that really bring it to life. And then this is that gut punch ending - to the gulls, yes, it's just an easy meal, but for you it seems like this heavy idea of our own mortality. Paul, you nailed that sense of the fragility of life against the uncaring forces of nature. Such a Powerful write! - Blessings, My Friend, Daniel Login to Reply Paul Willason Date: 6/6/2024 1:03:00 AM Engaging comments Daniel...those finely tuned antennas of yours able to pick up the nuances, explore the layers. I thank you for taking the time to read and offer such a detailed summary. Take care my friend.

David Kavanagh Date: 6/4/2024 9:21:00 AM I truly believe only humans see life from this perspective Paul, the crab had had it’s day one way or another, but you made a humane attempt to at least put it on its feet if not for long, another wonderful observational poem from you always with a little bit extra, the bright green sea weed in its claws paints a picture of inherent fickleness and fragility in nature, a joy to read, cheers David Login to Reply Paul Willason Date: 6/6/2024 12:12:00 AM Thanks David, l like teasing out thought threads on witnessing such events. Compulsive observer I'm afraid...eager to stock the granaries for future use in a poem. Thankyou so much for giving the poem yr time and responding with the usual thoughtful comments. Paul

Lin Lane Date: 6/4/2024 6:14:00 AM You set the scene so well that I could hear the gulls squawking and waves crashing. Great job of expressing the reality of mortality. I would've left it for the gulls, too. In death, the crab was a meal for land, air, or sea creatures. Best left the way it was in nature. Login to Reply Paul Willason Date: 6/6/2024 12:06:00 AM You see, shared decision...the gulls were delighted. Many thanks Lin for your comments and pondering the poem. Take care my my friend.