The beaches are the birthright of gulls to comb

I live in Worthing and work in a homelessness hostel.

Over the years I have had some success in the Indie press including Pen Pusher , HQ and Pulsar . I also had a poem on the radio.

More recently I have been performing and was pleased to support Alan Evans and Jenny Éclair when they visited the local theatre. This was part of ‘Hotbed’ a scheme to encourage local performers.

Of a Feather

Charlie is a seagull.

He lives off Worthing pier

Charlie is a common gull ,

he doesn’t interfere with others.

Charlie says he is not featherist .

Some of Charlie’s  best friends are grey 

Some have pinkish feet – they

are all the same to Charlie , Charlie insists.

But Charlie is disturbed by  screeching

about an issue so far reaching

that even Charlie has had to stamp his feet.

There is pressure 

on the prom concrete

from Pigeons . 

Charlie says he has nothing against pigeons

Indeed he is tolerant of all religions.

But the point is the prom is full .

These days a common gull

Can hardly find a chip wrapper

not already pecked by some grey flapper .

Charlie says go back to Trafalgar square.

Not in a nasty way you mind

but that is their place of origin . There

they can be with their own kind .

In Charlie’s opinion

Pigeons won’t be happy until

they are taking gulls jobs in land fill.

 The beaches are the birthright of gulls to comb

If pigeons are so flipping good at it 

They should get the message and go home !

Charlie is right 

He is a right Charlie

Liz Verlander, Worthing

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