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Cormorants

Somehow one signals time,

And rises up, frenetically flapping.

Hundreds follow in a line

Wave-skimming, intent upon the work.

If the leader shies from a whitecap

Each follower lifts up,

Then falls again to wave-top height.

Swiftly they come, a black

Sidewinder upon the Bay

And swiftly fly to bay mouth and away.