Gulls

My townspeople, beyond in the great world,

are many with whom it were far more

profitable for me to live than here with you.

These whirr about me calling, calling!

and for my own part I answer them, loud as I can,

but they, being free, pass!

I remain! Therefore, listen!

For you will not soon have another singer. 

First I say this: you have seen 

the strange birds, have you not, that sometimes 

rest upon our river in winter? 

Let them cause you to think well then of the storms 

that drive many to shelter. These things 

do not happen without reason. 

And the next thing I say is this: 

I saw an eagle once circling against the clouds 

over one of our principal churches - 

Easter, it was - a beautiful day! 

three gulls came from above the river 

and crossed slowly seaward! 

Oh, I know you have your own hymns, I have heard them -

and because I knew they invoked some great protector 

I could not be angry with you, no matter 

how much they outraged true music - 

You see, it is not necessary for us to leap at each other, 

and, as I told you, in the end 

the gulls moved seaward very quietly.

William Carlos Williams