Algal Blooms

I'm running around surrounded by death,

A dead fish washes up on the shore.

I stare for a moment, transfigured by the fish,

Its lifeless eyes bore into my soul.

Foamy water surges around it - these are the algal blooms.

I stare at the TV in my house,

The algal blooms are killing fish.

The memory of its eyes are engraved in my mind,

I switch the TV off and walk outside.

This time I see a shark

The most powerful animal killed by a plant

The taste of copper fills my mouth from how hard I'm biting my tongue.

Today, I ran back home

I push past the crowd at the beach

"Oh God!" Today it's a whale - a wave of nausea passes through me...

Usually I walk towards the water,

Today I walk back.