Waves, Warmth And Woe

• Hayley Javaluyas, Grade 11, Marsden High School
• Poetry
• 2021

Excellence Award in the 'Play On Words 2021' competition

I am sorry, my children. Forgive me, my little ones.
Flee from this bloodthirsty body, my daughters and sons.
Why must you venture over this mother with boats and planes,
When your welfare is secure on the magnanimous terrains?
I am tired of hearing the strained cries gurgling under merciless ocean.
Sick of the charred drownings of your crafts and prodigious creations.
“They’ll be safe on land,” the sky once said.
I was naive for I now see less blue than red.
My body, full of curses and graves, wishes to hold your kind dear.
However, letting you see my deepest levels is something I fear.
My own inventions are not as heavenly as your own.
As you can see, mine crave each other’s meat and bone.
Even though I only bring catastrophes and tears,
I still see your kind smiling and listening to me with all ears.
Why must you be like this despite what I’ve done and taken away?
My damned self wishes to say “Let me be selfish for another day.”