After a century, humpbacks migrate
again to Queens. They left
due to sewage and white froth
banking the shores from polychlorinated-
biphenyl-dumping into the Hudson
and winnowing menhaden schools.
But now grace, dark bodies of song
return. Go to the seaside—
Hold your breath. Submerge.
A black fluke silhouetted
against the Manhattan skyline …
Our songs will pierce the dark
fathoms. Behold the miracle:
what was once lost
now leaps before you.
~ Rajiv Mohabir, from “Why Whales Are Back in New York City”
Notes:
- Photo: Humpback Whale in New York Harbor: Day 3 by Bjoern Kils.
- Poem Source: 3quarksdaily
We used to go fishing in the river…we’d end up with sunfishes to return to the water, and a couple of boots. I’m so glad that NY has something more refreshing to offer these beautiful mammals..
I’m glad they are back too.
And what a memory that is, catching and returning sunfish with that skyline.
My dad, sister and me in a rowboat. Truly priceless memories
Rowboat. Wow.
We had some that hung out each morning along Salisbury Beach and Seabrook beach they developed quite the fan club 🙂 Good Morning David.
Nice. What a sight that must have been. Good morning to you too Eunice.
that is amazing
It is….
This is so beautiful.
The rest of the pictures of the whale’s day in New York are amazing. Thank you for sharing.
They really are. Thanks Sawsan.
So good to hear! Thank you for sharing goodness Dave 💛
Great news. There is hope for us yet.
Your thought reminds me of:
These two feelings, this knowledge of a world so awful, this sense of a life so extraordinary — how am I to resolve them?
~ Richard Flanagan, Gould’s Book of Fish: A Novel in Twelve Fish (Grove Press; Reprint edition, December 26, 2002)
Maybe the animal kingdom will lead us there.
Let’s hope so. Because Human Species is struggling.
I love how when we smarten up, we are rewarded with beauty, David. <3
Diana xo
Yes. Happens so infrequently Diana but when it does, what a bright light. (Love your new Gravatar/Photo, very seasonal! :))
Thanks David – it’s my tribute to the Canadian lumberjack!
Like it!
WOW!
Yes. Big!
This image and story make my heart soar! These days we are constantly barraged by stories explaining how we have driven this or that species to the point of extinction (or beyond). How wonderful that we got it right this time!
Yes. Let’s hope we can keep it rolling.
This is fantastic! My heart smiles…to be graced with living wonder..I hope many families found a spot to stand or sit along a pier or bridge to see the Whales (but Eric is excited,about this Return of the Whales) ./// We saw Whales the end of October…so meaningful, we were watching from the shoreline (no whale watching boats)…The end of September we saw the Majestic beauties also, though the tour boats were not welcome and to us standing on the shore the fast boats seemed to not respect the Whales,coming way to close to them…that is the first time I’ve seen this act of stupidity…usually the whale watching boats are respectful to Amazing Whales…
That’s right. I forgot that you are in Whale country true. So blessed….
What wondrous news! I would so love to see that “live”!
Me too!
Well, David, that’s really good news. Thanks for sharing!
We have watched the whales migrating along our east coast; truly amazing and magnificent!
Yes Carolyn. It’s amazing. And to see them among all the shipping traffic is a bit harrowing, but somehow they are managing.
Big Smile…
Oh David, thank you so much for this beautiful poem and photo! I looked up the entire poem, …what was once lost
now leaps before you…
and the video’s of this wonderful whale
About 10 years ago when I was teaching writing, a student (in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences at Rutgers) wrote his senior thesis on the conditions in the Hudson River. I felt so sad even though all sorts of projects were in place to clean up the pervasive mess. That student must be happy now! By the way, all through grammar and high school, we lived near this river, so how wonderful to know there’s true reclamation.
Again, I love everyone’s responses. I recommend you find the whole poem by Mohabir…
Wonderful that you had such a personal perspective with the River. Thanks for sharing Valerie.
As to the entire poem for other readers, here’s the link:
http://www.3quarksdaily.com/3quarksdaily/2017/12/saturday-poem.html
A beautiful poem for the beautiful souls of whales!
It really is Terri. Thanks!