Across the Sand
Lethbridge, Canada
2020, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
In the midst of a global health war,
A virus that has ravaged every corner of the world,
Producer of separation, sorrow, and anguish.
Scarring the world forever.
Transformations creeping along
In India.
A flipper emerges from beneath trillions of sand granules.
Then another flipper,
Until all 4 flippers have emerged completely, and a poking light-green head.
The ocean’s waves call and beckon.
Follow the ocean’s murmur.
Record-breaking for India,
60 million hatching sea turtles
Shuffle along the sand where humans once frolicked.
Families driven away from beaches out of fear.
Hope is reborn on empty beaches.
Sea turtles are navigating
In peace.
Works Cited
Vega, S. (2020). Coronavirus Lockdown Results in Sea Turtles Laying 60 Million Eggs in India. One Green Planet. https://www.onegreenplanet.org/animalsandnature/less-humans-pollution-sea-turtles-lay-an-estimated-60-million-eggs
Reflection
Reflection
My mother sent me an article about a record-breaking number of sea turtles hatching in India. I thought that was quite interesting. I thought that I could share my information about sea turtles by writing for the Ocean Awareness Contest. When I was writing, I felt exhilarated and a feeling of satisfaction that I was creating something. Before in-school classes were cancelled in my city, I had joined an environmental team at my school. Due to COVID-19, our fundraiser to support environmental causes did not occur. I wanted to continue supporting the environment, and I thought that writing for a climate change ocean awareness organization would help me in my endeavor of supporting the environment. After it is safe to do so, I would like to volunteer with my local nature centre (Helen Schuler Nature Centre). I would also like to try and organize a group of people passionate about the environment at my junior high, and we will support local nature organizations. I believe that is something I can contribute to. When I read about all the people who are doing their best to mitigate the effects of the warming of our planet, that always gives me hope. After people read my poem, I want them to take away a sense that positive outcomes can result from a “transforming crisis.”