Pelican Ease

I glide past gossiping pelicans as they bobble on the sea

They're too busy nattering to notice kayak and me

The hungry ones rise high - to dive bomb for a meal

I delight in each fresh splash performed with zeal

Warm afternoons they float on zephyrs in chevron trim

Squadrons form, disband, and form again

They paint grace notes on the blue and wispy clouds of white

In their elegant arpeggios I view and delight

Sunday morning flock basks on the rocky nests

In peace they meditate meaning - motionless

My camera interrupts their calm contemplation

They do not delight in my lack of invitation

If only I could speak Pelicano with ease

I'd beg with gentle squawking “Please, oh please

Let me join your merry mariachi band

And soar with delight over sea and sand”

Comments: 54

René Allen Feb 13, 2013, 1:16am UTC

WOW Granny Janny!

What a beautiful poetic photo essay.

This is NOW FEATURED in Poetry Express!

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 1:26am UTC

Merci
René Allen!

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william d. Feb 13, 2013, 1:50am UTC

Absolutely delightful

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:20pm UTC

So glad you liked it William.

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Phill Senters Feb 13, 2013, 5:42am UTC

Beautiful. :)

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:19pm UTC

Thanks, Phill.

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Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Feb 13, 2013, 8:02am UTC

Pelicans rule! And so do you! LOL

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:19pm UTC

I rule my roost with a pelican squawk.

Magi the magical poet is flowing with the wind Feb 14, 2013, 6:45am UTC

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JOHN BECK Feb 13, 2013, 8:22am UTC

What fun they are to watch. Nice photos.

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 11:31am UTC

Thank you, John.

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elizabeth evans Feb 13, 2013, 9:24am UTC

"arpeggio" Learned a new word today. Had to look it up on Wiki.

Beautiful flowing piece....I, too, would like to fly with pelicans!

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 11:31am UTC

I just loved watching them in Mexico. Thanks, Lady Bess.

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Stirling D. Feb 13, 2013, 9:36am UTC

Wow. I could see this printed up into a little hardback book - with a verse on one page - the photo on the other - and it would be saved forever like the treasure that it is!

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 11:31am UTC

hmm....I could do that....

Sonia M. Feb 13, 2013, 1:53pm UTC

I was thinking the same thing!!!

Yes, Jan...please do. I would buy one!
Are you familiar with Blurb?

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Sonia M. Feb 13, 2013, 1:54pm UTC

Wonderful photos and poem! Love it! Please consider doing a little book!

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:18pm UTC

I just recently learned about Blurb from a writer friend who has been publishing with them. His books are great...so I have been planning to get in touch and check it out!

Sonia M. Feb 14, 2013, 2:11am UTC

I've been playing with the idea of doing one..haven't taken the plunge yet...
;-)

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Natalie Neal Whitefield Feb 13, 2013, 2:06pm UTC

Love it! Featured here at Home Comfort

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:17pm UTC

Thanks, Natalie. I appreciate the feature.

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lynn a. Feb 13, 2013, 2:52pm UTC

Fantastic photo essay. I'd never see the flight of pelicans were it not for photos, and this may be the very first. I had no idea you could see such a thing as this. Wow.

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:17pm UTC

Lynn...we need to get you to the beach!

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Ann Marcaida Feb 13, 2013, 3:38pm UTC

Heehee. I think you probably do speak pelican!

Thanks for sharing with Gather's Luminous Writers and Artists. Featured and tweeted.

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:17pm UTC

Squawk.

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Priscilla P. Feb 13, 2013, 4:43pm UTC

Oh glorious pelicans and verse. Ethereal

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:17pm UTC

Real in the ether!

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Pam Brittain Feb 13, 2013, 5:04pm UTC

I love this. Awe, looks like a couple are kissing.

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:16pm UTC

Kissing in church? That's how I saw the Pelicans, as a congregation!

Pam Brittain Feb 14, 2013, 1:18pm UTC

Is that bad? If so, I'm probably in a lot of trouble.

Granny Janny Feb 14, 2013, 4:07pm UTC

hahah! So you're a church kisser!

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Truth Always Feb 13, 2013, 5:08pm UTC

This is beautiful and love the pictures....

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:16pm UTC

Thanks, Truth!

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J. Reid Feb 13, 2013, 6:33pm UTC

Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Not Gathering Dust!

J. Reid Feb 13, 2013, 6:34pm UTC

Smiles...

Thank you for submitting to: Natures' Photo Stories

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:15pm UTC

Thanks for the comments! And Smiles!

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Irina Dimitric Feb 13, 2013, 8:23pm UTC

Wow! Stunning photography and a beautiful poem. Pure delight!

Granny Janny Feb 13, 2013, 10:15pm UTC

Thanks, Irina!

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Priya P. Feb 14, 2013, 12:05am UTC

This was just wonderfully written and so perfectly matching to each pic.
Featured in the Triple Name Club.

Granny Janny Feb 14, 2013, 2:45am UTC

I am so glad you liked this, Priya!

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Kathryn Flynn Feb 14, 2013, 12:27am UTC

Wow, what a remarkable formation; pelicans are quite large - saw one in a swimming pool i was in in the yucatan.

Beautiful beautiful beautiful, jan.

Granny Janny Feb 14, 2013, 2:44am UTC

Hoping all is going well with you and wishing you a sweet and loving Valentine's day, my friend.

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Barbara Radisavljevic Feb 14, 2013, 1:06am UTC

This photo essay describes well your wonder and admiration when you watch the pelicans. I feel I'm there with you.

Granny Janny Feb 14, 2013, 2:44am UTC

Thank you Barbara...You were with me!

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Barbara H. Feb 14, 2013, 4:15pm UTC

What a gorgeous rendition! You've placed the pelican on a higher podium than I 've ever thought of them before...you've quite the artist, Janny, with both vision and word...mmmm! pelican...now in my mind, a SAINTLY bird!!!!