Haenyeo
Seoul, Republic of Korea
2023, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Climate Hero: Haenyeo
Amidst swirling currents, where darkness enshrouds the fields,
Haenyeo divers rise from the water.
At tide’s shift, these women plunge into the depths of cerulean hues,
where calm currents bring more jeonbog to take.
In their nets, a mix of urchins and haesam,
yet alongside, gently cradled in their hands,
shells and clams to bottles and scraps.
Smog against masks, over pado,
worn wetsuits, bare branches,
crashing waves, fingers wrapped around sharpened taewak.
In the shallow coastal waters, rocky cliffs, a murky shroud, and
like namdong trees we stand witness.
Every haenyeo leaves a ripple,
Spring of 1981, they stand with hands outspread,
like mountains towering.
At the photo’s edge, a hint of bronze hue,
their weathered face, and lines etched deep.
In the wake of the haenyeos’ fading footsteps,
the unanswered question drifts upon the air:
Who shall cradle the ocean’s depths now?
Reflection
In my poem, I worked to convey the inspiring resilience and strength of the haenyeo divers. These women, who fight against the swirling currents and dive into the depths of the cerulean hues, exemplify the qualities of being a climate hero. Their nets, once filled with a mix of urchins and haesam, now reveal a deeper purpose. Alongside these treasures, they cradle shells and clams, bottles and scraps, recognizing the significance of cleaning up the ocean and reducing pollution. Their weathered faces and hands, hardened by years of labor, prove their dedication to this cause. As the haenyeo divers navigate through smog against their masks and worn wetsuits, they become symbols of resilience in the face of environmental difficulties. The tools they use to defend and repair the coastal waters are represented by their fingers, which are wrapped around sharpened taewak. In the presence of the haenyeos, standing tall like namdong trees, we become witnesses to their efforts. Every dive they undertake leaves a ripple of positive impact that serves as a constant reminder of our duty to protect the oceans.