they swim through the night, seas pounding and mean
she turns with a start, he’s not to be seen
mom searches in vain, confused and alone
then dives to the deep in soul mourning groan
frightened, alone and prey for another
he swims for the shore in search of his mother
the village of Naknek turn out like a friend
coaxing the calf back to sea once again
but baby can’t do it, feels safe in their lap
his belly now growling for milk and a nap
neighbors in Seward soon learn of his plight
and rally to offer the orphan a flight
placed cozy and smiling in a pool with a shove
he struggles to live among hands full of love
without mama’s milk the odds are not good
but caretakers gather…it’s just understood
for weeks they struggle to reverse nature’s call
best minds in the country, it’s life after all
but late in an evening he hears mama’s groan
and slips off to find her, all on his own
thanks SeaLife Center and all who helped out
a toast to your future from baby’s life spout
V Rae
* Three day old Naknek was rescued June 18, 2012 and passed July 9, 2012. The first baby Beluga calf ever rescued, he charmed and touched the hearts of researchers and caretakers from around the world during his short life at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
naknek*
the warmth of a womb surrounded by love
he wriggles and pushes to see what’s above
the pressure in life to cling and connect
succumb to the call: release and protect
eased to the sea with shiver and start
he releases a bubble that charms his mom’s heart
they surface together her back in his grasp
sparkling like diamonds, he spouts his first gasp
but trouble’s ahead she can tell by the skies
sea cranky and dark and wind on the rise
troubled, she dives with baby in tow
been here before, there’s nowhere to go
they swim through the night, seas pounding and mean
she turns with a start, he’s not to be seen
mom searches in vain, confused and alone
then dives to the deep in soul mourning groan
frightened, alone and prey for another
he swims for the shore in search of his mother
the village of Naknek turn out like a friend
coaxing the calf back to sea once again
but baby can’t do it, feels safe in their lap
his belly now growling for milk and a nap
neighbors in Seward soon learn of his plight
and rally to offer the orphan a flight
placed cozy and smiling in a pool with a shove
he struggles to live among hands full of love
without mama’s milk the odds are not good
but caretakers gather…it’s just understood
for weeks they struggle to reverse nature’s call
best minds in the country, it’s life after all
but late in an evening he hears mama’s groan
and slips off to find her, all on his own
thanks SeaLife Center and all who helped out
a toast to your future from baby’s life spout
V Rae
* Three day old Naknek was rescued June 18, 2012 and passed July 9, 2012. The first baby Beluga calf ever rescued, he charmed and touched the hearts of researchers and caretakers from around the world during his short life at the Alaska SeaLife Center.
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