26th / 28th December 2020
Winter-lit gannets tilt the bay’s air snow bright;
Water, patched bronze green and vert de verre,
Flashes fast reflections across its skitterfoam
Whenever they swoop low-curving sea-sweeps.
Wind-whetted trajectories, we watch,
Wings wise to every gust-twist trick–
Until a wheel checked and, instantly into folded drop,
The spraykick instrike, Sheffield sharp.
To us, always joyed beauty;
For every bird, another survival gamble:
Just one more of each day’s many dice throws
Against Nature’s risks, and human everthreats.
© Christopher Jessop 2020
