Hilda Greenhough | + Follow Poet |
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Red Sea Urchins

Giant red sea urchins piled high on a dock.
Still live, their spines wave, beckoning me.
Soon to be processed as haute cuisine stock,
Then sent to Japan to make roe puree.

It is sad to see these poor little guys.
They move with intention to find the Sea.
Too bad that their taste tends to tantalize
The overall fondness for good sushi.

Gone are their days of clearing the algae,
Which urchins eat, and coral reefs protect.
Next time you take a bite of that sushi, 
Consider how food and Nature connect.

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David Crandall Date: 7/19/2024 8:24:00 AM Interesting. Sea life is fascinating. I'm a vegetarian, so the sea urchins are safe from me! Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 7/19/2024 10:22:00 AM The urchins thank you. I've never eaten them either. Thanks for stopping by.

Zyrool Gifford Date: 3/29/2024 5:21:00 AM Thank you for sharing this sad truth of the sea urchins, I have learnt something new today. Nicely written. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 3/29/2024 7:54:00 AM I'm happy to introduce these marine wonders. Thank you for reading my poem.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 3/24/2024 12:29:00 PM This meaningful poem is haunting and sad, Hilda. Our most precious resources are the fauna and folia of our lovely planet earth. Well composed. :) Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 3/24/2024 8:57:00 PM Thank you. We have a shrinking world.

Panagiota Romios Date: 3/7/2024 8:07:00 AM Wow, a phenomenally , descriptive weite, The drama of the urchin. Good job Hilda! PangieFascinating wriyr Pangie Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 3/7/2024 9:36:00 AM Thank you. I live in a desert and write about sea creatures. It makes no sense. Enjoy.

Valsa George Date: 3/5/2024 8:37:00 PM You have stated a blunt truth. Because some marine creatures are so palatable to us, their species are quickly dwindling which can greatly upset the biological balance. An insightful poem dear Hilda. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 3/6/2024 12:02:00 AM Thank you, Valsa.

Joseph May Date: 2/25/2024 7:37:00 PM Animals can become extinct because they "tantalize the taste buds", as your poem illustrates sometimes these creatures serve a greater purpose in protecting the environment, Very nicely penned Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 8:29:00 PM Thank you very much. There is an environmental twist to it.

David Fisher Date: 2/25/2024 3:57:00 PM Wow, what a great ending to an interesting subject. Do you actually live where they're harvested? 'Poor little guys' seems like the perfect, sadly, name for them. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 4:12:00 PM I formerly lived closer to the ocean. I happened to be traveling at a bay where there was fishing. The red color of these urchins were like magnets. I couldn't forget them. Thanks for visiting my poem.

Ilene Bauer Date: 2/25/2024 1:44:00 PM i enjoyed this rumination on "how food and nature connect," hilda! well done... Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 2:00:00 PM Thank you. Ruminate indeed I appreciate your comment.

Sotto Poet Date: 2/25/2024 10:37:00 AM Hilda, your words are truly captivating! Thanks for the profound yet delicately delivered reminder you have bestowed regarding the importance of maintaining equilibrium. The perils of avarice and excessive indulgence are far-reaching, capable of causing enduring repercussions. Alas, as humans, we often neglect the act of contemplation, allowing our insatiable desires to occupy the forefront of our minds. Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 10:47:00 AM Thank you for opening this subject further. Contemplation is a key word. Your comments are always so enlightening.

Bill Baker Date: 2/25/2024 10:35:00 AM A poem that makes us think and nature's creatures and the role they play in the food chain. Thanks for sharing, Bill Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 10:44:00 AM Thank you. Sushi is popular and there is no reason to not eat it, but occasionally, an endangered species is served. I wanted to make the poem more about the hardships of individual urchins, yet the poem turned out as it has.

Ink Empress Date: 2/25/2024 12:53:00 AM How food and nature connect. Ah what a thoughtful write. You have a beautiful and soft place in your heart for all that which breathes and can be felt through your words woven here in such a seamless manner. Sometimes i feel sad when i see fishes die too when i see some fishing. I guess i am too senstive. Red sea urchins are beautiful , to see when snorkeling. An eye opener this is dear hilda. Powerful write Login to Reply Hilda Greenhough Date: 2/25/2024 1:42:00 AM Snorkeling? I haven't but there's a poem there. Maybe for you. Thank you for your kind comments. I have eaten sushi. My daughter loves it, so I always have to try some, too.