Prospector

Gulls perch on pilings

scour beach for discards

squawk their pleasures against

summer’s din, share a transient

beach log with seasonal visitors

who shake sand from towels.

Cries dim on gray autumn

morning as submissive ocean

lips the sand under the watch

of lone prospector guiding wand

with disk in small arcs.

Hungry staccato sounds signal

lost jewelry, coins, perhaps a medal

eclipsing the sound of greedy gulls.