earth note 266

on state road 4A
the seagulls have occupied
the osprey nest
at the top of the utility pole
screeching
squawking
for reinforcements

a shoulder on the bridge
crossing torch key channel
blacktopped & open again
with creamy gray jersey barrier
pre-cast concrete guard rails
a bicycle's view
is not for sale

away from the highway
middle torch key
its subterranean roots
become big torch key
mangroves almost seamless
'cept for a left turn

quiet as a pelican's glide

--- e b bortz

(published in earth notes and other poems, Least Bittern Books, 2015)