Reef Grief Poem by Ima Ryma

Over long time a coral reef grows,
An animal community,
Shallow enough so sunlight shows,
Oft called rainforests of the sea.
With tentacles, coral polyps can
Catch plankton and small fish for food.
Also on the coral, algae span,
Solar energy to include.
Coral reef in shape and colors bright
Attracts lots of visitors, yes,
But some visits do not set right
Coral 'bleach' when there is too much stress.

Coral reefs in ev'ry water face
Human intrusion in their space.