I stared at the cold, gray sea. I was shivering, one hand buried in my pocket, the other holding a sheet of paper between my numb fingers. I didn't quite know just for how long I had been standing there, watching the ice cold waves move, crash at each other until eventually washing towards the shore. The sky was just as gray and apalling as the sea. The same shade of dark gray clouds cast a gloomy mood over the city. I lifted the letter I held, up once more so I could read it again for what felt like the dozenth time. I had written without a thought. I had poured my heart into the words. Without a filter or sugarcoat, I put down whatever I felt. What was the result of it all, were bitterly sorrowful and grief-stricken paragraphs that were to ensure any reader a bilious gut feeling. It felt as if my chest was bound as I took a deep breath, folding the letter into a small paper boat. I stepped closer to the water, setting the boat into the dismal waves. I sunk my hand into the cold sea, pushing the boat on, into the ocean. I watched as it slowly floated away into the distance, carrying all my heart. I hoped it'd bear my worries until it sunk and I hoped my worries would drown in the deep, black ocean along with it. Even when I knew it wasn't possible, I couldn't help but wish it'd symbolize my future. I couldn't help but wish the heavy feeling on my chest, the bitterness in the pit of my gut and the gray, gloomy feelings, that they'd all disappear. That they would disappear and never come back. That's what I prayed for so desperately as I watched the little boat swim away. Carrying away all my troubles.
*bilious: affected or associated with nausea or vomiting
Five photographs of Harbor Seals were added to Developing Nature Gallery print shop. You can find these pictures in the 'OCEAN LIFE' folder.
A group of seals is called a Pod.
There are people in Washington State declaring that the Salmon are going extinct because the 2,000 seals are "eating all fish". Thus making the Orcas going extinct as well. The reality is it is humans. Crises like this is always human made. People supporting commercial fishing. People supporting companies that uses animals in their products; such as alcohol, beauty, laboratories. There are marine species on the brink of extinction, but are not being legally protected under the Endangered Species Act, "because people need to fish for a living". But there isn't going to be any more fish or lobsters or horseshoe crabs in the near future. Then an entire collapse will happen. Then more people will struggle.