It's been a long while now since I felt pain. It was the first time I saw mama and daddy panic . We tried to swim away, but the black was all around us. Sorrowful cries filled the waters of our home. It was dark for so long...and we swam as far as we could. I got so tired. It was weird, not being able to breathe in deep. There were smaller areas of this blackness before, but we had always been able to find a way out. This time was so different. It even smelled different, a strange sweet yet bitter sting to it.
Other families were slipping farther behind us. We passed a funeral, it was so sad. The youngest was drowned, I never got to meet her. She looked about my age. Daddy went over and nudged her Daddy, they cried together a moment as the little one fell deeper and deeper until I couldnt see her anymore. Later Daddy explained that this is the way of death for our kind.
I was scared. There were many big things swimming above us and other odd shapes that seemed to float in the space over them. A red glow kept flashing off to the west. Mama nudged me, she sensed my confusion and wanted to help. She said those big things were called ships or boats, I didnt understand the difference though, only that some were louder. It hurt my ears. That's when the burning started, first my eyes, then my mouth. Those ships were doing something to the water.
Light from Father Sun was trying to reach us, I couldn't feel His warmth though. Suddenly there were tiny fish swimming all around us. I was so hungry! I caught a few, it was really easy, they didn't even try to get away! This new food tasted awful! It made my belly hurt. Mama was mad at me, she said I should have waited until we got to our regular food...I didnt know better. I'm just a kid! I just wanted to go to sleep.
I saw mama and daddy crying. My whole family was there too. They were swimming all around me. I was still so tired and I couldnt stay awake. I watched through sleepy eyes as they rose higher and higher above me, until I couldn't see them any more.
I saw you walking by today. You stopped and looked at my former body and you cried. Your camera looked at me and blinked. I thought I would be able to tell you what happened to me, but your human form still cannot hear my voice. I wish you could find my Mom and tell her I am ok. Some of my friends are here with me. I even found my Auntie and cousins. It is a beautiful place, this new water, with plenty of food...still, I miss my family.
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ReplyDelete"I saw you walking by today"
ReplyDeleteIt's been a long while now since I felt pain. It was the first time I saw mama and daddy panic . We tried to swim away, but the black was all around us. Sorrowful cries filled the waters of our home. It was dark for so long...and we swam as far as we could. I got so tired. It was weird, not being able to breathe in deep. There were smaller areas of this blackness before, but we had always been able to find a way out. This time was so different. It even smelled different, a strange sweet yet bitter sting to it.
Other families were slipping farther behind us. We passed a funeral, it was so sad. The youngest was drowned, I never got to meet her. She looked about my age. Daddy went over and nudged her Daddy, they cried together a moment as the little one fell deeper and deeper until I couldnt see her anymore. Later Daddy explained that this is the way of death for our kind.
I was scared. There were many big things swimming above us and other odd shapes that seemed to float in the space over them. A red glow kept flashing off to the west. Mama nudged me, she sensed my confusion and wanted to help. She said those big things were called ships or boats, I didnt understand the difference though, only that some were louder. It hurt my ears. That's when the burning started, first my eyes, then my mouth. Those ships were doing something to the water.
Light from Father Sun was trying to reach us, I couldn't feel His warmth though. Suddenly there were tiny fish swimming all around us. I was so hungry! I caught a few, it was really easy, they didn't even try to get away! This new food tasted awful! It made my belly hurt. Mama was mad at me, she said I should have waited until we got to our regular food...I didnt know better. I'm just a kid! I just wanted to go to sleep.
I saw mama and daddy crying. My whole family was there too. They were swimming all around me. I was still so tired and I couldnt stay awake. I watched through sleepy eyes as they rose higher and higher above me, until I couldn't see them any more.
I saw you walking by today. You stopped and looked at my former body and you cried. Your camera looked at me and blinked. I thought I would be able to tell you what happened to me, but your human form still cannot hear my voice. I wish you could find my Mom and tell her I am ok. Some of my friends are here with me. I even found my Auntie and cousins. It is a beautiful place, this new water, with plenty of food...still, I miss my family.
I want my life back.
DEDICATED TO THE LOST BABIES OF THE GULF WATERS AND THE CITIZEN PHOTO JOURNALISTS, THANK YOU!
© Lana Duncan 3/27/2011
Omg that is awesome but so sad. Very well written. Do I have permission to use this as long as I make sure the credit goes to you?
ReplyDeletePlease re-post if you can!
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