Great Barrier Reef

Pacific beauty, garland of shimmering pastels Textures and colors astound, deep in your ocean heart Your court is larger than any kingdom on Earth And hosts grand balls and parties, Shimmering schools of fish dance in unison Anemones gather by the thousands Each more vibrant than the next Grand plumes of algae sway like great banners In the streets of your endless coral cities, Lost happily in orange towers All fathoms deep, cradled by warm currents Erupting and tumbling and breathing, The jealous coast watches, the winds bow down Salt and scales glitter like stars in your sky Oh magnificent belle of Queensland! All Hail The Great Barrier Reef! For PD's "7 wonders of the ancient or new world" contest