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