Away from footprints on the shore
and the soft hum of tides of yore,
below intense, cold light that gleams,
is an ancient ocean who dreams.
Despite toxic chemical shrouds
and swirls of microplastic clouds,
near residue of nuclear tests,
is a sacred ocean who rests.
A plan calls for robotic hands
to grow accounts in distant lands.
To steal minerals from her rib,
they give excuses — weak and glib.
But islanders will pierce the lies.
The world will hear our battle cries!
Catherine Payne is a writer based on Guam, an island close to the Mariana Trench in the Pacific Ocean. She joins other Pacific Islanders in efforts to raise awareness about the potential threat of deep-sea mining near the Mariana Trench. She is on Instagram at @cathyapayne