The Sound of Plenty (Depends Where You Are Standing)

I would like to begin this post by letting folks know I finally saw my first member of the Family Alcidae back on 8 May. Members of this family have rapid, shallow wingbeats; wings particularly adept for underwater propulsion. When on land, they have an upright stance, are generally black-and-white, and thus are sometimes referred to as "penguins of the North." Yeah, I'd seen puffins in captivity (Fratercula spp.), but no Alcids in the wild; a good many members of the family occur off the northern portions of this continent's coast. A few do not. Like the species I had been eagerly anticipating in this location, Xantus' Murrelet.(Synthliboramphus hypoleucus) Click the scientific name for a link that illustrates.

Sound of Plenty (Depends Where You Are Standing)



As a little boy I used to watch and listen to such things with utter reverence.
The greatest, most incredible thing in the world to behold.

I am older now. While no longer a little boy I still think about him while taking this in.

Only the little boy doesn't look like me this time.
The little boy doesn't talk like me this time.

The little boy's "Saviour" he is supposed to grow up believing in doesn't look like mine was to in pictures and paintings and murals.

His house looks different.
Neighborhood different, w/a not-so-eerie sameness.

His name is different.

But, he is still silenced......by the same....sound.

The men and women who pilot such machines most certainly have an incredible responsibility they strap on their backs every morning they wake up.

They know this ofcourse. I am glad they are protectors; though wishing there were no need.

It's just that I hope their commanding officers
And their bosses' bosses read history books
And all got good grades in math.

I hope so,

For that little boy.

-mwyork, 1800hrs, 19-May-2008


Papilio rutulus

Peace, shalom, salaam,

-mwyork