Gannets
Supersonic heads brushed with sea pollen,
they ride the thermals up to height,
tease out the sky
hover
take aim
dive
A stratospheric entry plume of spray!
Shake the head,
slip the fish,
flap twice,
instant take-off again.
Beaks sharpened on surprise
they hunt the waves,
eyes alive with bright harbours
glide up
bank east
barrel-roll …
Jan Fitzgerald