Rising
Vancouver, Canada
2021, Senior, Performing Arts
I am an ancient body, about to die
All that I embody are your alibis
Filled by your neglect, sick of lies
I’ll wash out your land, I apologize
My seven seas reach out to you
But they’re overfilling, nothing I can do.
Deep down I love you, but you need to change
For this relationship is an exchange
Poison bleeds in my reefs, must be some motif,
If only they would listen to the signs
Hum… The oceans hums for your help,
You’re needy, now you need me, always did
Hum… The humans hum for my help
You’re needy, now you need me, always did
Your human actions, are not humanized
It’s like you’re plotting, your own demise.
There was a time when I was, filled with ice
But now it’s melting for the prizes you fantasize.
Using me to capitalize, but look at the tides
With your pounds of plastic, I rise
The sea is filling, I’m overused
When I flood the streets, we’re all bruised
Poison bleeds in my reefs, must be some motif,
If only they would listen to the signs
Hum… The oceans hums for your help,
You’re needy, now you need me, always did
Hum… The humans hum for my help
You’re needy, now you need me, always did
So help. If you help me, I won’t rise, you won’t demise.
Reflection
Reflection
When I was little, I lived in a majestic house right on the shore of the ocean. The waves would wish me good night and awaken me with their thrashes. I thought I could control the waves with the palm of my hands, and the power of the ocean extended to me. My song “Rising” was written from the perspective of the ocean, a point of view I believed to have as a child. The process of writing this song was nostalgic as I tapped into my old memories of the character I created for the ocean: a mother-like figure who is harmed by humans. But a mother nonetheless, she does not lash in anger; rather she seeks to make amends, and cautions against humankind's self-destruction. For while the rising sea levels are a result of hurting her, it is, by coastal regions first, cities, countries, and continents, populated by people who will be destroyed. It is us who will die. My message to viewers is a plea for change. We must take action. People can make a difference in their lives. The individual holds great power in their choices: less plastic, less waste, and more environmental healing.