Home » Poems » Hilda Greenhough » Red Sea Urchins

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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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.

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. :)

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

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.

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

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.

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...

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.

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

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.

Sara Etgen-Baker

Date: 2/25/2024 10:10:00 AM

thanks for the profound but gentle remainder that balance is critical. Greed and overconsumption can have long term consequences. As man, we don't think. We're overly concerned with fulfilling our wants and not our needs = destruction. Well written, Hilda.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 2/25/2024 10:34:00 AM

Thank you for your comment. It seems that the urchins could be managed easily. At least, if money isn't involved.

Duke Beaufort

Date: 2/25/2024 5:45:00 AM

Hilda, thanks for writing about this with compassion. We do have to live, but how to do so and not convert the world to a factory farm to satisfy human demands is a difficult proposition. This is but one example of a process that ultimately leads to some kind of collapse as we disassemble the connections in nature's web of life. There's nothing wrong with sushi, but if we eat too much, then there will be some unfortunate consequences for everyone.

Hilda Greenhough
Date: 2/25/2024 6:51:00 AM

You're correct. I was amazed to see such a large pile of red urchins. I had never seen one before and they amazed me. This may be a good thing to lab grow., and leave the rest in oceans.

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

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.