Beached

Beached

                    New Zealand reported 400 pilot whales mysteriously beached themselves.

This pod’s pilot seems confused. Unwilling to admit

he has lost his way. Not listening to the ones nearby,

who cautiously question the wisdom of this chosen course

as he steers the pod erratically into dangerous waters.

The privileged group around him swim on

in feigned confidence, demonstrating loyalty to the pilot

and calming concerns in the mass of whales he leads. 

Other pods, in distant safety, wonder at the movement

in this dangerous direction.  Warnings are bellowed

but these concerns go unheeded. 

All see the coming danger: the shallow waters

that will impede their progress going forward but all swim

on, following the pilot's lead, confident that he is sane

and knowledgeable.

They all swim on believing he has their safety

and the safety of their young ones in mind

as they are led down this perilous path.

All are now beached, unable to move back

into safe waters. They cry out to their pilot in fear

asking for help and guidance in their plight.

He lays gasping with a crazed eye rolling in confusion

and disbelief at this failure, unwilling to accept that his

overconfident drive forward could end in this place.

He wonders who to blame for the pitiful cries

of the stranded pod as all die around him. 

                                       --W.E. Hudson

               First published in the Dubuque Gallery.