The paradigm of flight

March 8, 1983

The vaned gull feather With single split in limewhite blade Floating on tidal pool Has evolved from the reptile's frayed scale 155 million years ago, Has rowed upward embracing air In sunlight and storm, Has passed through gull beak relocking Barbules with barbs Healing the split to maintain air resistance, Was, I imagined, fledging again Rising lazily over bars and tidal flats Gliding on invisible pathways Hanging above large kelp-dripping rocks Returning to pool surface The paradigm of flight, Nature's miracle.