The poem is BUFFET...

"Buffet" illustration from Nancy Standlee for my "Dreams of the Turtle King" beach poem book.

The poem is Buffet and the illustration is for a stanza in the poem ...

"The seagulls gather together
on the water, patiently
riding the waves..."

It was always entertaining to watch the seagulls at the beach. Most of the time you would see them flying in the air or fighting with each other on the beach for scraps. This morning was unique in that they had gathered together on the water and were just sitting there, riding the waves together silently and without commotion.