Writing Contest Winner: Sorrow of the Sea
The following poem was submitted to the Greener Together Writing Contest, May 2020. Thank you to all who participated and we hope you enjoy this winning submission from the under 18 poetry category: What’s your favorite animal? Write a poem from its perspective.
by Margaret Berei
What great death spans this ocean blue
The destruction that follows me at every turn
And what little I can do to change it.
I remember when I used to be surrounded
By my eager brothers and sisters
Filled with excitement for the opportunities
That lied beyond our beach-laden nest
A safe, sweet shelter from the unknown.
As the dusty hue of the horizon appeared
Over the crash of the morning’s waves
Our instincts kicked in,
Telling us to leave the comfort
Of our home and each other
And waddle towards that mass of blue
Big beautiful blue, which would prove
To be the salty kiss of death to my brothers and sisters.
Now I wonder why my mind told me to go,
What demon drew us out to sea
If the journey would prove too treacherous
That only I alone would return to our
Safe, sweet shelter once more.
I soon learned the outside world
Is no exciting place for a baby turtle.