Jonathan Seagull Poem by Paul Sebastian

Up high above he practiced flight
All alone far away from his flock
Who minded only for daily bait
Fighting for food bits thrown overboard

The flock lived out each day same
They had no idea what they could be
They had no inner burning flame
Content to be like others: ordinary

Jonathan Seagull wanted to be different
He wanted to learn all about flight
Paying a price of being the best student
Fed on delicate insects that flew heights

Lean but had dogged determination
To dare learn all the flight skills
Facing storms he mastered navigation
Ready to pass on learnt skilled drills

He found new ways to spin and glide
High speed dives and perfect loops
Expertly snatch fish in a sea-level slide
He created the sudden stops and drops

The flock! The flock! They need me!
Flying homebound, happy to bring change
They could eat fresh meals from sea!
Never again need they fight or scavenge!

Jonathan Seagull showed off his flight skill
To his flock, before arriving home
Parents and elders were not at all thrilled
“Stand to centre! ” they all intoned

“You have broken the Seagull Law! ”
Your independent spirit must be checked!
Must follow the tradition, with no flaw!
Son, you are not family! You’re an outcast!

His earnest pleadings fell on deaf ears
With laden heart, streaming down tears
He flew heavenwards, as his flock watched
Into the clouds, Jonathan Seagull disappeared

29.09.2015