June 1: Unmitigated Gull

A solitary gull ignores the water

In hopes that tasty tidbits come his way

From those who crowd the rocks to spot an otter

Along the kelp-choked edges of the bay.

Disdainfully regarding all the squirrels

Whose antic japes delight the human flocks,

He claps his wings, demanding their deferral,

And sends them scurrying among the rocks.

And while the opportunists fight for scraps-

Successful scavengers secure survival-

A mother otter croons while wavelets lap

To soothe her fussy, squalling new arrival.

How...