«A crow and seagull…» — Summary

Garret SchuelkeContemplative

A crow and seagull sit together side by side.

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Garret Schuelke's poem is only three lines long, and it describes a simple scene: a crow and a seagull sitting next to each other. Nothing else happens. There's no action, no conversation, no explanation of why they're there.

What makes the image interesting is the pairing. A crow is dark and often associated with towns and fields, while a seagull is pale and tied to the sea. They're different birds, and yet here they sit "side by side." The poem doesn't comment on this, and the speaker never states a feeling. Judging by the plain wording, the speaker seems to be simply watching, perhaps with a bit of quiet pleasure at the unexpected closeness.

The mood is calm, still, and gentle. The short lines and slow pace make you pause, like the birds themselves. Readers might take it as a small hint about difference and peaceful coexistence, but the poem leaves that thought for you to decide.

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