Time for the Gulls
by Carol Lynn Pearson
Carol Lynn Pearson, “Time for the Gulls,” Carol Lynn Pearson, Time for the Gulls, New Era, Oct. 1976, 50
It’s time, Father,
For the gulls, I think.
My arms shake
From flailing my field.
I sink,
Broken as the little stalks
Beneath their devouring burden.
I yield it all to you,
Who alone can touch all things.
It’s time, Father,
For the gulls.
I will be still,
And listen for their wings.
brook andreoli
the gulls came.
and in the moment i let down my flailing arms
they shook.
spent
from beating back the gulls
guarding wheat stalks,
watching the skies with hope and moving my arms with determination.
and instead of feeling the triumph of the miracle.
i feel exhausted.
because i can.
i can rest, without beating my arms, and know that the wheat field is safe.
and that i was fierce
even when i was scared.
so scared.
and as i watched the crickets consume the stalks i thought
perhaps
they would consume me as well.
i am grateful for the gulls.
in their forms of angels
here beside me beating the crickets back
and above me
and around me
whispering of a miracle,
holding my arms when i couldn't beat longer.
or wiping my tears,
when i didn't have a hand to spare.
i stayed.
here in the field.
and it made my arms
strong and sunkissed.
and it made my faith firm,
but the faith didn't come in the moment of the gulls
it came in snatches
while i was beating back the crickets
and beating back my fears
and clutching on to hope
and throwing back my face to pray
and bending back to work.
the crickets came
and ate
but they did not eat me.
and i'm tired.
and i lay down in the field
next to the prickly stalks
and look up at the sky
the circling of the gulls now passed.
the sky is clear
of crickets
and gulls
and after i rest
i will plant more seeds
and not be afraid
of the crickets
who could eat them.
because my arms are strong
and my god is strong
and the sun is long in the sky
shining over my wheat.
and i rest
my tears watering the ground
thankful for the gulls
who have allowed me
this rest.
and when i close my eyes i still see the swarms
but in time, i know
i will close my eyes and see
clear skies.
Thank you my dear friend. Love u
Posted by: Joan | September 07, 2013 at 12:56 PM
Incredible. Epic. Heartbreaking. Hearthealing.
Posted by: Shannon Guymon | September 07, 2013 at 05:08 PM
Beautiful. Glad we talked about this at writing group. It helped a lot
Posted by: Olivia | September 08, 2013 at 05:13 AM
Beautifully done!
Sometime I'd love to hear about your writing group and how it came to be.
Posted by: Angie Taylor | September 08, 2013 at 05:59 AM
Gorgeous!!
Posted by: ally | September 08, 2013 at 12:23 PM