A Common Apology

 

How beautiful you looked that day
Basking in the sun and spray
Sandbank glinting in the light
Flippers curled in seal delight
A perfect morn to gaze the view
So many shades of green and blue
An early walk warm summer breeze
Eight sleeping friends relaxed with ease

When danger came I never knew
This day would be the last for you
I watched the gunman take his aim
He had no guilt he felt no shame
Then jets of water from the bank
A burst of sand beside your flank
No hunters code he crossed the line
A cowardly deed a gutless crime

How beautiful and still you lay
And like the tide life ebbed away
This lighthouse road awakes to see
The slaughter of tranquillity
I'm sorry that I let you down
No saving grace in fallen crown
Unwelcome guest no fish for free
This witness gives......
A common apology

The Common seal which was shot that day.
 
Jacque Watt
Marine Mammal Medic
Montrose Area
(Inverbervie-Easthaven)