you are swimming, soaring beneath the surface of the aqualine water
savoring the moments under the broken bits of sunshine
tranquil and placid
pushing forward with a smooth stroke, forging through the ocean
dazzled by a clump of vibrant coral growing in a recluse corner
undisturbed and undiscovered
you survey the miniature fish flitting between stray strands of seaweed
not startled at all by your appearance, unaccustomed to humans
trustworthy and naive
is this paradise?

an unusual sight catches your eye, a discarded water bottle laying on the sand
hard, plastic, clear, an eccentricity in a world of peace
it is the beginning of a snowball
one piece of trash leads to dozens, hundreds more
the fish are dying, plants are wilting
the water turns murky and rancid
this is death.