The People Beneath The Waves - Rena Priest

[Larry Robinson]

The People Beneath The Waves


For millions of years in the eternal sea 
across generations, beyond the limits of 
time, their songs have echoed through the 
deep;

hunting songs, and songs of grief, songs to 
celebrate the birth of a new life. For 
millions of years in the eternal sea

they have lived and loved simply to be 
together in a pod—one heart, one mind, 
their songs have echoed through the deep,

linking each to each in the community 
with affections profound as yours or mine. 
For millions of years in the eternal sea

they’ve been here longer than humanity, 
singing across the tides their songs have 
echoed through the deep.

Our relatives under the waves entreat 
“Without our songs as guides, we die. 
For millions of years in the eternal sea our 
songs have echoed through the deep.”

	- Rena Priest