An Impending Future
Olivet, Michigan
2017, Senior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Life
Oceans full of
Nets of plastic
At the eradication of
Fish swimming
And
Jellyfish floating
Pristine waters with
Dolphins wading in
A sea of silky oil and toxic sludge only
There is no worry of
Aquatic organisms
And
Corals along the reef
Dead
Not
Alive
With
Peace
Erased and only
The Booming of Engines
Sound Pollution
Thriving
While color and diversity are
Gone
Invading species are
Bristling with vitality
Our future oceans are
Clean and healthy
No
Dead and gloomy
Is the world I see
Now read from the bottom up. This is the future we can create.
Reflection
Reflection
Something I’ve always felt strongly about is the power of putting forth the effort to create change. Consequently, I wrote this poem to reveal a negative message reading downwards (so as to gain the reader’s attention of the present concerns) and a positive future reading upwards (explaining a future I believe is possible). Addressing problems including litter/plastics, oil spills, acidification, sound pollution, and invasive species, as well as imagery of ocean life, was meant to draw readers to a more sensual and authentic view of the current worries. My hope is to work towards creating a brighter future for our seas, one that we can all be proud of.