the longest spit
of sand is called
Farewell
it comes and goes
as moon dictates

its sickle talon
snatches shallow fish
and beckons whales
to beach
while overhead relentless
sun and swirling gulls

local folk arrive
with buckets
and wet sheets
cold nights are spent
with new, warm-blooded friends

but when dry sand prevails
then others come
with knives
the bones belong to them
they shout

but whisper as they carve
to keep away
the toxic fear
that haunts this golden bay

Maggie Z Brown
https://allpoetry.com/Margrit

Over 300 pilot whales were recently stranded and died on this sand spit in Golden bay, NZ. Whale strandings here are not uncommon and have been happening for generations, but the actual cause remains a mystery.