a plea | Teen Ink

a plea

June 11, 2022
By gracehaller SILVER, Vero Beach, Florida
gracehaller SILVER, Vero Beach, Florida
6 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
“I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right.”<br /> ― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief


The warm, golden sun kissing my cheeks

The sky full of milky, sapphire streaks

Scorching, brown sugar sand burning my feet 

Salty, coconut air smelling kind of sweet 

Icy cool waters pierce my skin 

My sister yelling to “just jump in”  

Baby bubbles ticking my face 

Like a different planet, an underwater space 

A parade of tropical multi-color fish 

To stay down here would be my only wish

Out of breath but still so much to see

Lungs relived yet my heart still yearns to explore the sea 

But now something has happened drastic 

My favorite place is throwing up plastic

I’m begging you to listen; I’m not being sarcastic 

Air that was like biting into an apple, so crisp

Is now oily and sizzling with toxins within 

Voices that fought still linger in the breeze 

As our entire planet dies from this disease 

Trash bags dance atop the water

Ocean, will you stay alive to meet my daughter?  


The author's comments:

I find that many people choose to dismiss climate change as a result of all the science that accompanies it that can be hard to understand. So, I wanted to approach it in a more joyous, more light-hearted way that people may find easier to understand and connect with; I did that through a poem. I used the basic rhyme scheme of AABB CCDD which is very common in nursery rhymes and many of Dr. Seuss's poems to try to bring a child-like and playful tone to such a serious and compelling issue. I love poetry there are no rules! It allows me to put all of my thoughts into words providing a sense of clarity; I will forever be grateful for the power of words and all they have done for me. 
 


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