there was an offensive seagull nesting below our balcony.
we watched the ocean with tired eyes as the seagull
attacked every person brave enough to get close.
we gave her a name and a home and we nested
there until we were ready to grow.

playing poker on a pillow drinks at steak, chemical gambles
betting a bottle on a colorful hand and now i see exactly what
i’m gambling on i knew nothing easy is good enough.
i gulped the night quickly to feel it hit faster.

the next day the seagull’s beak warned us
we stepped too close to beauty.