Great Auk

Once there were millions,

Thrived in the cold latitudes:

We called them penguins.

Richard Whitmore, 1622:

"God made the innocency

Of so poor a creature

To become such an

Admirable instrument

For the sustenance of Man."

1785: George Cartwright, explorer:

(Of the slaughter)

If

A stop is not soon put

The  whole breed will be diminished

To almost nothing."

1840: Sailors on St.Kilda:

Captured, stoned to death

"Prophet-like that lone one stood"

"Maelstrom-conjuring witch."

Two centuries gone

The millions crowd the rocks

Haunt the lonely seas.