The seagulls of Maison Julien

The seagulls of Maison Julien are my friends.
They’re not picky customers at all — they eat everything, without distinction, even grape skins.

So whenever I’m cleaning fish or meat,
I always keep a little something aside for them in a Tupperware.

At first, they were wary of me and waited for me to throw the food from a distance.
But we’ve known each other for over a year now, and they come closer and closer.
It reminds me of the days when I used to feed my grandfather’s chickens.

They recognize me as soon as I appear in the garden.
They leave their concrete lookout posts all at once,
coming to check whether I’ve arrived empty-handed… or not.

Usually, if I have nothing for them, they protest loudly
and then fly back to the concrete blocks that serve as their resting base.

Right now, everything is covered in snow.
They seem really hungry.
So when I show up, it’s truly a celebration.