Before We Drown
Chicago, IL
2021, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Surrounded by a suffocating emptiness
Reaching into oblivion
Finding,
That the waters at my ankles
Are a result of my own faults
I stand in a pool of my own sweat
The world enclosed with my
Thick clouds of guilt
What I used to view as warmth
Now a reminder of how
The air I breathe is no longer clean
It’s plagued with doubt that this problem exists
The Sun burns warmer at my thoughts
With an 8-degree difference
That could have been prevented
My mouth a drought on what to say
My mind a fire in need a rain
We beg and plead for things to change
I watch the restless blue of our Earth
Reject our waste, remaining persistent
In defiance of the constant cycle
We created and I continue to follow
The water now at my knees I allow to consume me
Learning to swim before I drown
I emerge with a new understanding and respect
Serving the town before it sinks
Teaching the strength that it will take
To rebuild a world that’s more attentive
Ensuring that the future is safe
Reflection
Reflection
I decided to write using a more perturbed tone to convey how I felt when researching about this topic. I felt very anxious and angry about how ignorant I was. The lack of concern in the common community is revolting. I felt betrayed and responsible for my lack of knowledge. When learning about the water cycle in school, we never talked about the negative effects that humans had on it. So I made sure that I brought that up to my old science teacher to include it in his curriculum for this semester. I also asked my principal if it were possible to incorporate recycling bins in the school building. I also minimized the water waste of my household by managing the amount of water we use for unnecessary reasons. When people read my poem, I want them to feel something—something strong enough that it motivates them to make a change and reflect on their actions. I want my work to start a movement.