Paddling Out
I let gravity pull me
as I rush into the open arms
of the cerulean sea
In front of me lay paradise
The sun, warm on my back
My lower legs firmly grip my board
as I dive under the wave
mesmerized by the clarity
of the cool water
The coral crackles beneath my feet
A lobster waves hello
with his thick blue claw
Come ride with me
the wave says with a splash
My muscles soak in saltwater
My eyes closed with smiles
However when I ride
over the lip of the wave
in front of me lay a battleground
of trash, floating like dead fish
belly up and tangled
in a fisherman's net
A seagull choking on plastic straws
A bouquet of faded chip bags
Opened aluminum cans floating
on the surface
Have we come too far from the shore?
Have we been cursed for refusing
Mother Earth's dying wish?
Her cries roar, Take care of me,
she whispers, If I die, you die
Before these waters turn a tawny brown
I gather the waste in my arms.
I let the waves sway me back to the shore
A smile slipping out of me
knowing even one small deed
can one day turn into
a sprouting hope
By Ally Hwang
Biography:
Alison Hwang is an avid creative writer from California. Her work has been recognized by Beyond Words Literary Magazine, Skipping Stones, and more. When given the gift of time, Alison loves secretly dancing her heart out in her bathroom, trying to find the things she lost, and reviewing local restaurants.
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