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Swimming Against the Tide

An aquatic villanelle poem

By Alison McBainPublished 7 months ago Updated 7 months ago 1 min read
Runner-Up in Villanelle Challenge
Swimming Against the Tide
Photo by Silas Baisch on Unsplash

We cannot save the sea—

but perhaps oceans might start to heal

without humanity.

*

Pollution spreads dreadfully,

ice caps melt daily. Often, I feel

we cannot save the sea

*

until consensus. We see

global recovery as piecemeal

without humanity

*

taking responsibility

for our past carnage. It seems surreal

we cannot save the sea.

*

Folks mouth slogans ’bout being free

although it’s a political spiel,

without humanity

*

caring about what we

lose in this backroom deal.

We cannot save the sea

without humanity.

social commentary

About the Creator

Alison McBain

Alison McBain writes fiction & poetry, edits & reviews books, and pens a webcomic called “Toddler Times.” In her free time, she drinks gallons of coffee & pretends to be a pool shark at her local pub. More: http://www.alisonmcbain.com/

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Reader insights

Nice work

Very well written. Keep up the good work!

Top insight

  1. Heartfelt and relatable

    The story invoked strong personal emotions

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Comments (13)

  • Sarah Loyd5 months ago

    Great poem about saving our planet. Love it 😍

  • Lamar Wiggins6 months ago

    Congratulations on placing! Love the eye-opening message here! Thank you!

  • Natalie Wilkinson6 months ago

    Congratulations on placing!

  • Dana Crandell6 months ago

    Refreshingly different in its style and speaks a powerful message! Well done, and congratulations on placing!

  • D.K. Shepard6 months ago

    Congrats! A deserving topic for a powerful poem.

  • Paul Stewart6 months ago

    Back to say well done on placing, Alison!

  • rose amy6 months ago

    Amazing

  • Test6 months ago

    Outstanding! Keep striving for greatness—congratulations!❤️❤️

  • k eleanor6 months ago

    This is so well done. Congratulations on top!❤

  • Paul Stewart6 months ago

    This was stunning, Alison. Seriously well done. The lines are so tight and succinct and because of that the message is so impactful. Loved this and worried now lol...this is a great entry. Well done on Top Story too!

  • Manisha Dhalani7 months ago

    We need the sea just like it needs us, I suppose. Circle of life. Lovely poem.

  • Brin J.7 months ago

    It is sad how terribly the world is treated, and there are so many who don't see or care or want to hear about it. Thank you for advocating.

Alison McBainWritten by Alison McBain

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