Once When I was Ten: The Sea’s Voice
Las Piñas, Philippines
2021, Junior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Once when I was ten, two years ago from today, I communicated with the sea
Heard the sorrow and sufferings with its waves frightening roaring every night
Every night, the sea cries, begging us to ease the torture, asking for help
Unexhaustingly reciting its mantra:
“Chase by death, little by little, my beauty will vanish as an ash
Once when my beauty dies, there’s no way I will attract your hearts
Thus save me before I gently vanish into an ash
Remember the sea is not a phoenix:
A phoenix that is the descendant of the sun
A phoenix who arises from ashes
Thus save me, my friends, before it is too late.”
Let the sea sleep from the horrendous agony, give it tranquility and freedom
Help its friends survive from the risky changes, teach them to forget the agony
Make them believe that tomorrow let them ease the sorrow and sufferings
Do not let the sea shed thousands of trash for the second time
Eradicate the worsening problem of our generous Mother Earth
Execute a movement to slow it down, save them from sadness
Undress your eyes, use the integrity hiding inside your heart
Save the sea, help the sea
Save the water devoured with trash
Save the sea, help the sea
Save the water engaged with plastics
Save the sea, help the sea
Save the water from being tormented
Once when I was ten, two years ago from today, I communicated with the sea
Heard its loud message beneath its calm and serene appearance
Every night, the sea screams, begging us to show empathy and sympathy
The sea is asking for a change
The sea is asking us to use our voice
The sea is asking us to voice our minds
The sea is asking us to voice our hearts
The sea’s wish is change
Reflection
My family and I went on a vacation at a beach resort when I was ten. I noticed and observed that the sea was unpleasant. What the sea looked like back there is pictured in my mind. It is what inspired me to write this piece. One reason why I wrote this piece is that I want to voice my opinions. I believe children like me have the right to use their voices. We aim to raise awareness about different issues. We are fascinated by the idea that we can share our stories. Our heart is moved whenever someone listens to our stories.