The Warning
by Larry D. Thomas


(painting by Jamie Wyeth, 2007)


Deep hues
of blue, black and green
vie for preeminence
in the swells.

The Atlantic has succumbed
to the fathomless,
implacable issues
of its anger.

The gull’s feet
dangle beneath its breast
like gaunt rag dolls,
the gull

staring down the viewer
head-on, as if
any minute now
it will soar from the canvas

and plaster its body
against the glass,
the imaginary glass
shielding the viewer

from the fierce, black hells
of its eyes.






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