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Chereek, chereek, screams the osprey,
King Farouk nesting on the channel post
post marker as a fishing boat speeds past,

then spreads his six-foot black wings,
rises, glides and plunges feet-first
into foamy water snatching redfish,
grouper, mahi mahi. 

After, he cocks his brown head, rises
into the air, with a swoop of wings.

white underside glistening in the evening
sun and whistles, shrill and strong as he zooms
over Skidaway island back to his nest.

Lisbeth Thom