Seagull On Sistine Chapel Chimney

Seneca Seagull sat on the Sistine Chapel chimney

the latest in a long line of seagulls who had made Rome

their home 

since the time of the Caesars.

Seneca did have relatives in other parts of the world

his wild and crazy Canadian cousin Sidney Seagull

who did wild and crazy things on Canada's West Coast

and brought tourists to Vancouver British Columbia's

English Bay to see his wild and crazy antics.

But Seneca Seagull made the City on the Tiber 

his home

and here he sat on top of the chimney of the Sistine Chapel

wondering when the white smoke would rise.

Seneca had heard it said in Italian seagull lore

that there was once a monk named Francis of Assisi

who was kind to birds and animals and people

he had once bought a cage of doves from a peddler

and set them free.

Francis had loved all of God's creation

talking of Brother Sun and Sister Moon.

Seneca flew from the chimney when he saw 

smoke rising.

"O Creator of all,"

Seneca Seagull looked up at the sky

"When will the Earth get another Francis?".

-A poem written by Christopher

 Thursday evening March 14th 2013.