In Deep Waters
Gregory Bell
Lost at sea
in a world gone stormbroken
hugging at last to leeward
of an unknown island
I consult the map:
Rawaki, Mckean, Enderbury, Nikumaroro,
Manra, Birnie, Kanton & Orona—
The Phoenix Islands of Kiribati
largest & deepest World Heritage site
on earth
Ah, well, if myth is to be believed
(and who would dare gainsay
so true a myth so sanctified in the bones
destined to decay, to crumble into ash)
the Phoenix rose and rises still
from the detritus of her own demise
O burning bird!
O endless resurrection!
You feed us on eternal promise
of regeneration!
But I give way to inexorable doubts
and think how quenchable
your flame must be—
a group of islands in the Mid-Pacific
set as jewels in the swallowing sea
The questions come to roost:
What bulwark will do?
Where will they go as
climate migrants?
Yet now the taste of pepper burns my tongue
even as blue ink bleeds to crimson waters
puddles on the page
then bursts
in tongues of flame
The science inspiring the piece:
I owe the inspiration for this poem to Peggy Dobreer, who, at the Rapp Saloon Friday evening reading in Santa Monica, CA, curated by Elena Secota, brought out a collection of old maps and gave us 15 minutes to pick a site and create a poem. Of course, I had to pick the Phoenix Islands, and, of course, I had to explore a bit further.
In 2006, Republic of Kiribati established one of the largest marine protected areas in the world, then doubled it in 2008, making it the largest & deepest World Heritage site on earth. As the Kiribatis say, “The promise of the Phoenix Islands is the promise of Paradise Found and Paradise Protected.”
In 2009 the president of the island nation began to draft escape plans, citing sea level rise from Climate Crisis. At COP 27 in 2022, he appealed for aid in building resilience against rising ocean levels. “We must be held accountable. Action begins here and now before it is too late.”
His people would prefer to save their island home rather than abandon it.
'Phoenix Islands Protected Area' - UNESCO
'Meaningful Action To Address Climate Crisis Begins Now, Kiribati To COP27' - SPREP
Listen to Gregory read the poem:
Related works:
that's a true story.
how do pups have friendlier smiles than their people?
in new york, dogs will still look at you in the face Read more
