See My World.

This poem was inspired by Tilikum. Tilikim was a captive orca (killer whale) in SeaWorld Orlando. He spent most of his life performing at SeaWorld and was responsible for the death of 3 people. If you're interested in knowing more about the story of Tilikum, I highly recommend you to watch the documentary Blackfish (2013).

I am the beast of the ocean,

Yet you confine me, disrupting my entire cycle.

Although I am black and white,

I add colour to the aquatic wildlife,

But all you know is to play the role of a knife.

I am the definition of apex,

yet you treat me like I'm beneath you.

I maintain the balance of the deep,

therefore, I don't need rescue.

The ocean is my element,

Yet you choose to soak me in a bunch of chemicals for your amusement.

Captivity for me is mortality,

So why don't you just let me be free?

They are aggressive and volatile you say,

But how would you know the definition of solidarity I wish to say.

We live in pods which mirror your complex social structures,

Yet you put us in isolation, separating us from our sons and daughters.

Mating with whales from other pods is what increases our diversity,

and yet you assume I'm a willing carrier, inserting seeds in me defencelessly.

What gives you the authority to rule us?

Power, fame and money is what puts you on top.

Remember if we perish, the entire system will become boneless.

So don't treat us like a flop.

The bigger the better you say,

It will attract the crowds and they'll have to pay.

You set an unrealistic image of who we are,

and you'll regret the painful scars.

The mental trauma of being surrounded by walls is something you'll never know.

So if I have an outburst, it means I just want to go.

My body gradually deteriorates in your tank of blue,

Therefore, my lifespan is reduced to a decade or two.

You want to train me to do tricks,

And yet you don't understand simple physics.

Every action has an equal and opposite reaction.

Treating a whale like a fish is no justification.

Conditioning a predator will not eradicate it's natural instincts,

It will build the tendencies that has to be synced.

I am the ocean's more precious pearl,

But take a second to see my world.

- To Tilikum

By Veenaa Annamalai

The above painting was done by me. To see more of my art check out my Insta handle !