GULF

The turtle and the seal- neither dash nor deliberate-
kept them from the earth’s oily ooze,

or pelican fly, betrayed by his dive, a natural urge,
wings leaden, into a watery demise,

or crab and shrimp scuttling on the Gulf
sea floor, an alien surface, bereft of sand-food.

Men and machines and mistakes and missteps
and greed and life-styles and marine life.

Life resumes with minor diversions,
the earth will once again swallow hard
and belch its disapproval.


© Puma/MMXI