I am excited to announce that my poem, "Tokitae", is published in Issue 8 of Lit Shark Magazine: The SHARK WEEK Edition! The issue is available for purchase on Amazon: see here.
I wrote this poem as a way to process my heartache and rage after hearing of Tokitae's death, which stung worse because after 30 years of advocacy, she was just a few months away from potential release back to the area where she had been captured as a baby. There are some other pieces in this issue also about whales, which is great to see, but I am especially touched when I saw that the Editor-in-Chief of Lit Shark Magazine had dedicated this issue to Tokitae and her family pod, who are still living in the wild.
Here's the issue dedication:
"On August 8, 1970, a large-scale attempt to round up orcas to display in marine parks went horribly wrong in Penn Cove, Washington. With the use of speed boats, explosives, and spotter planes, 80 orcas were forcefully herded into the area. Seven of their calves were captured, and another five were drowned in nets and unnaturally sunk to conceal their deaths. One of the seven calves taken was Tokitae, also known as Lolita, who lived in captivity as a performer at Miami Seaquarium for the next five decades. She died in 2023, just months before she was supposed to be released.
"On November 4, 2024, more than 50 years after the attack, Tokitae's pod, tracked as "L Pod" and consisting of 34 orcas, traveled home to Penn Cove for the very first time. As whales have long memories and also pass generational knowledge, including dangerous territories, to their offspring, their return is nothing short of awe-inspiring and hope-inducing.
"This issue is for them.
"To Tokitae, Lolita... they made it home. Rest in peace, light, and calm waters, sweet one."
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