Dive Bombing

On a visit to the coast
To watch Speedy do her first half-marathon
We happened to walk to the flights of stairs
Descending to Solana Beach, California

As the sun set
We focused on the cresting waves
And their visitors

First the surfers
Patiently waiting for the final sets of the day
Second the pelicans
Dive bombing dinner

The graceful birds would fly
Parallel to the wave crests
Often tucking their wings
Banking sharply into the ocean

Their trajectory would often take them
Just a few feet from the surfers
Where they would splash in
Mostly ignored by their neighbors
Who were more intent on
Catching the next decent wave

Each to their own tasks at hand
Allowing space for one another
Could be a formula for a decent world
Could it not?