Reflection

Reflection

I wrote this song about the threat of coal pollution, specifically the pollution that comes from coal dust being transported by large oil tankers. A few years ago, a proposed coal terminal at Cherry Point, Washington would have led to the passage of large, dangerous ships through the waters of my home, the San Juan Islands. Thankfully, many community members stepped forward in protest and halted the proposal. The images in this video were taken by people who love their home. These photos help me to convey how beautiful it is and how pollution could endanger that beauty. You must be passionate about something to make it the focus of your art and when you look at these photos, you see the passion and love the photographer has for their subject. The people I know love the wildlife, the trees, the sunsets, the water, and the land as I do. I’m not so good with a camera (which is why I asked my friends for help), but I enjoy making music so this song was my way of expressing love. The song is in a minor key and has a driving rhythm that is supposed to sound like a train. When a train is on its track, going full speed ahead, it is very difficult to stop and reverse. I hoped to convey the desperation of our situation. If we don’t try our very best to slow down now, we may never be able to go back.