On the Bremerton Ferry

These gulls are organized-
belong to a union with stewards named Edna and Warren.
They ride for free, gossip about last year's hats,
wonder with shriek and skree

if the weather will hold for the annual picnic,
study my popcorn, collar and pearl earring-
fat with French fries and Styrofoam.

Clown grays catch kernels midair,
orange shoes transparent and silly.
Whites fly backward, swing so close
they can thread their beaks with my hair.

by Rebecca Loudon