The Seal

I wrote this poem back in 1992 when I was living in Newport Beach attending Irvine Community College. It was my first real attempt at poetry.

The receding tide knew before I did and it left him alone, out of place.

Just a sigh or a blink would quiet my fears. But the gnats on his hollow onyx eyes and the single tear of blood from his nostril confirm it — death has already stroked his shiny, sand-crusted coat.

At peace now, except in my mind where I wish the waves had stolen him back, before my morning walk.