Pelican's Rest - a poem

Here's a recent poem I wrote after hanging out with pelicans in Baja Sur, Mexico last month.


Pelican’s Rest

i scrambled down
a gully of loose schist
careful not to disturb it
or fall. among the crashing
waves and slick rocks we shared
a good long glance

in its eyes
i felt the heat
of exhaustion, frustration
the tenacity of a dignified
bruised animal in distress
relentless, yet
perhaps recently
accepting

as i approached
to inspect and offer aid
the pelican stood proudly
spread its tired wings
one broken, bloodied
and told me: i don’t
need your help
death is coming
but not yet

i heeded the pelican
left its pristine cove
forever, and hiked back

the next day, a remote beach
half-buried in a stretch of sun
-scorched sand and stone
i see a different pelican
not long ago succumbed

three vultures gathered around
to tend to their business
this pelican’s rest

i watched
i thought
to die here
would be alright
to be picked and bleached
becoming sea and sand
is a decent exit

but not yet

- Isaac James Baker
Todos Santos area coast, California Baja Sur, Mexico
May 2026