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24. Shark Fin Soup

Inspiration: Geography class :) Have you ever heard of shark fin soup? I have, and I've tried it before, and I must admit it's quite tasty. But, after learning how it's MADE, I feel very bad for eating it : In the Pacific, surrounding Taiwan and China, fishers hunt for sharks. They don't just kill the poor things, no...they SLAUGHTER them. They hook them on a line or net, drag them to the surface, cut the poor thing's fins off, and release the finless shark into the water to drown. Bastards! My guilt is extreme. Well, almost as extreme as this screwed up poem.

December 24, 2008- Olga Taratuta

Born in the Pacific
Off the coast of Taiwan
I'm just a guiltless gulper shark
I haven't done anything wrong

I'm simply touring the ocean
Prying tuna when I feel my belly grumble
When fatigued, I doze in a local cove
I am mellow and quite humble

I'll never forget my very first love
With a stunning shark, so divine
We swam the ocean, side by side
Among vast reefs, she is mine

The eggs hatched a few months ago
I love all of them; all twenty-five
My gills inhale the sweet, pure water
I'm just so glad to be alive

As I am snoozing, a net is cast over my head
I am in agony; my fins are gone!
Evil men have stolen my pride
Blood stains the blue water, clear as dawn

I cannot swim, I cannot think
I'm drowning; my senses droop
I am begging you, don't end my life
For a bowl of shark fin soup

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