The Gull With No Beak Poem by JAMES T. ADAIR

Once upon a time on a beach
two boys with sand pails played
building sandcastles when was heard: a screech
A flock of gulls flew to the sand
and looked at the boys as if lunch was planned

They waddled and walked one step at a time
and moved ever closer like thieves in a crime
but one gull stood apart from the rest
The others treated him like an un-welcomed guest

And before either of the boys could speak
the older boy noticed the bird was missing a beak
The other birds seemed to know
They bothered him endlessly to make him go

But determined, he kept coming back
weathering the unkind attack
He was just like them
Only wanting a snack

The bird had the top part
But didn't have the bottom half
He was haggard
and needed a bath

The boy wondered how the gull could function
how could he eat
With a grotesque injury
The boy couldn't speak...terrified! ....The bird had only half a beak!

How had it happened?
He felt sorry for him.
Was it by cruelty or by human hand
The boy struggled to think, but couldn't understand

Thinking for sure this gull would die
The older boy started to ask why?
How could he function and survive
How could he stay alive

And against he sea, the sand and blue sky
the boy felt a tear form in his eye
and he grabbed his lunch sack
and tried to scare the other birds back

And bread he tried to throw
to the beakless bird who seemed to know
and he struggled to pick up a crumb
But the poor bird's efforts were undone

The other birds jumped to steal
and the struggle was heartless
and unjust but it was just as real
But the injury was not one that could ever heal

And as the boy realized
The poor bird was doomed to die
His tears fell as he began to cry
Not able to answer: Why?

Just then the sun shone brightly through the cloud
As the injured gull called out loud
And alit to the entrance to blue sky
He could not eat.... but he could still FLY!

The bird circled once and tipped his wings
As if to say Thank You to the boy
And the boy waved to salute him Goodbye!
Knowing the gull would with dignity, die.