The Sea Gull

The Sea Gull The one-legged seagull king that lived on the last reef before the ocean began had lived long, longer than gulls normally do He came from a sturdy breed that for generations had lived at the edge of land and sea; they knew things other birds didn’t know On the ferry bound for England the king came onboard, I fed it fine knowing well the king would be back when the ferry returned Other younger birds wanting the space on the last reef, attacked the king who never more returned; to the ferry boat they circled and shrieked in triumph demanding preferential treatment, I gave them potato peel and saved the best leftovers for the gulls on the coast of Newcastle After years of a zero-sum life having no time for anything, I retired and bought a cabin far inland, but near a lake that had a wooden pier and a rowing boat, a place where the trout waked undisturbed. On the top of the chimney he sat, the old king, waiting just for me.