We are Rising
New York, NY
2021, Senior, Performing Arts
Tides are rising
Every day, such a terrible thing
Don’t we know that water’s life and the
Role it plays across the globe can’t be replaced with silent passing?
Tides are rising
In my town, my city, my home
We can’t just let this go
‘Cause don’t we know it’s part of everyone and everything that we know?
When you fill your bottle for a drink
When you’re washing your hands in the sink
That’s water playing a part in every second
If you don’t believe me, just hold on for one more second
The oceans form 97% of Earth’s water
The ocean and its tides keep our planet from getting hotter
The heat from global warming is making these tides elevate
Causing hurricanes and droughts and storms across our planet, wait
Did you know that 70% of you is water?
Water is a part of you, making you stronger
We need it to survive, and that’s for sure
Every river, sea, and estuary links us together
Tides are rising
Every day, such a terrible thing
Don’t we know that water’s life and the
Role it plays across the globe can’t be replaced with silent passing?
Tides are rising
Flooding homes, warming climate zones
We can’t just let this go
‘Cause water is essential for all of us to grow
The ocean and its tides give us oxygen to breathe
From the smallest fish to the tallest tree
The ocean and the water are a unifying force
To give us all life through the water cycle’s course
This role that water plays connects us all
With every wave, the tides rise and fall
It reaches out its hand of life to every one of us
Now that it is rising, it is slipping away from us
As the years go by the tides continue to rise
Yet most of us stay silent, let it rise before our eyes
Now every year communities are drowning underwater
Forcing families to leave their homes, they’re forced to wander
For people like me this is a serious threat
Since I live on a river that won’t stop rising yet
We need to show we care, we need to take a stand
So as I sing this song to you, I hope you understand
Tides are rising
Every day, but we know this can change
If we spread awareness that this
Issue is affecting us on a global range
Now we are rising
We refuse to stay silent anymore
We are speaking out against this climate issue
So we can save our water, the ocean and its shore
Reflection
I remember when I was seven years old, Hurricane Sandy devastated my New York community. My family has always lived along the river, and we, along with our neighbors, were displaced from our home. We couldn’t attend school, hospital equipment was damaged beyond repair, and times were desperate. This was my introduction to the effects of rising tides and climate change. It was also my introduction to how communities can unite to work towards a greater good. The messages and supplies that circulated to assist victims of the natural disaster were a symbol of the power of exercising empathy and raising awareness. As I wrote these lyrics, I kept my experiences in mind. I learned about the delicate balance of our dependence on water and how it can affect humanity.