The Pelican 2

[Stephen Whiteside]

The Pelican 2

(the other bits)

By custom, whenever we speak
Of the pelican, nought but the beak
And the belly are mentioned at all.
How narrow our minds, and how small!

Consider, for instance, his eyes.
They are piggish and small. They're not wise,
Or ponder a moment his feet.
They are ugly and splayed. They're not neat.

Settle your gaze on his chest.
It's broader than you might have guessed;
The bulkiest body you've seen,
He looks much less bird than machine.

Having reviewed all his bits,
I'm now at the end of my wits.
Perhaps it is right that we speak
Of nothing but belly, and beak!

Stephen Whiteside 28.02.2013

[Maureen K Clifford]

I love Pelicans - they are majestic birds, always beautifully groomed and dressed for dinner in their best bib and tucker. I like your Pelican poems Stephen. Are you writing another children's book??? Kids would love these bird poems you have done. Good fun unless you are a beagle.

A pelicans feet might be big
and he might have the eyes of a pig
but he floats with an elegant grace
and has manners that cause no disgrace.
He’ll waddle on up for a feed
sit politely, no displays of greed
unlike seagulls who chips and fish steal
the old Pelican waits for his meal.

[Stephen Whiteside]

Thanks, Maureen. I like pelicans, too. I picked up a beauty from Bunnings yesterday - painted steel, half a metre high. I think it's supposed to be a garden ornament, but it looks just fine in my lounge room.

[Maureen K Clifford]

WOW - send us a piccie. Beats the hell out of those talking fish