I remember there were panhandling seagulls
letting the wind
hold them statue still
while waiting for handouts

of the ship decked crowd
that flagged so many frantic farewells
to so many friends
somewhere far below

I stood nearest the rail
looked long to you
looking back at me
from your spot long removed

But at last you left off
with your watching ways, waved
turned away
down the dock

You were gone
for what seemed forever
and the gulls broke their pact
with the wind that held them
and then                oh hell
how

they dived

Ian David Arlett

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