Platter’s Beach

Facing northwest in unison
a congregation of seagulls perch on a rock
their images pitted by raindrops
on the mirror surface
off Platters Beach

Farther out,
something black breaks the water-
a whale perhaps

An eagle
flaps and glides, flaps and glides
in the still air
searching the Sound.
The gulls lift off and circle
then regroup on the rock
when he’s gone

The rain slacks off
We toss dregs of coffee
stow our gear
and push off in the Eider
to home

John Munro
1977