I used to get scared when my mother fed the seagulls at the beach
They would lift her up by the arms of her jacket -
Give her quilted wings.
She would dangle
From their prism shaped beaks
As if she were washing
Ready to be pegged on the line.
Even though I voice my concern
She still feeds them, fearlessly
As bold as the birds
Not understanding
I know
She could die.
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Charlotte Cosgrove is a poet and teacher from Liverpool, England. She is published in Trouvaille Review, Dreich, The Literary Yard as well as other places. She has work forthcoming in multiple journals and anthologies. Charlotte was recently shortlisted for the Julian Lennon prize. She is Editor of Rough Diamond Poetry.