Little Inklings 2022

DAMAGING EFFECT OF PLASTIC IN OUR OCEANS Lucas Piedrahita ❜ 27 As I awake from slumber early in the morning I crave to dive into paradise And head down for a walk on the beach Hoping for smooth, soft sand to caress my feet But it seems like I have entered my darkest nightmare As I lay my eyes on endless plastic mountains instead of sandcastles And stare into silent skies No longer populated by screaming seagulls Endless pieces of plastic ride the waves Like surfers on a Hawaiian beach And contribute to the pollution that has endangered Wildlife across the sea I look around thinking this can’t be true And head straight into the ocean Hoping to wake up from this nightmare Where all I hear is the ocean’s cry for help Swimming in guilt as I remember my failure to consistently recycle I fear I may have helped create this disaster But now I know what I must do Make a difference through mindful waste management 38