Upon Seeing Sandpipers in Hawaii

Looking like
balls of brown-
and white putty
a sculptor
has perched
atop rigid
black legs,
sandpipers
race up
and down
the beach,
thin black
bills exploring
the littoral,
probing for food,
not comprehending
that in Paradise
they need not move
with such
stiff-legged
purpose.

Barbara Gregorich’s poetry has been published in several literary journals and the 2012 Wisconsin Poets’ Calendar. Her most recent novel is a mystery, Sound Proof, featuring private eye Frank Dragovic. She lives in Chicago and in Door County.