The Sparrow
Pomfret, CT
2023, Senior, Poetry & Spoken Word
Climate Hero: Kim Ja-yeon, Precious Plastic Seoul
Pick, pick,
goes the Sparrow
with its beak
Through the dirt,
through the grass,
through the street.
Here, here,
cries the Sparrow
on the street
Down that alley,
down that road,
down that way.
Clink, clank,
echoes the Sparrow’s bag
filled up with bottle caps.
From water,
juice, and
everything else.
Oooh, aaah,
coos the Sparrow
as caps are broken
Into bits
and pieces
and dust.
Look at that,
the Sparrow says
looking at the water
Clean and
clear and
safe.
Pick, pick,
goes the Sparrow
with its beak
Day,
after day,
after day.
Hoping for a better day
tomorrow.
Reflection
I learned about Precious Plastic Seoul through YouTube, when I saw a video of an idol visiting the shop. It was amazing to see how something like plastic bottle caps could be reused into useful items. I was also inspired because the people who participate in Precious Plastic Seoul’s program are called “Sparrows,” so I knew that I wanted to use that in my writing. I really admire that Kim Ja-yeon, who started Precious Plastic Seoul, was able to start such a great organization. I think it’s easy to assume that people who fight climate change have to be celebrities or well-known people. But anyone can do things to help. Although bottle caps might not seem related to the ocean, I know that plastic waste in the ocean is a huge problem. Just by collecting bottle caps there will be less microplastics in our water. When I learn about people like Kim Ja-yeon, I feel inspired and hopeful that there are lots of people who want to save the planet. It is just about taking the first step to do something about it.