Whale Travels with the Barnacle - a Poem by Paul Watson

[Annces]

The Facts on Migration
By Captain Paul Watson
Sea Shepherd

Why do you migrate? I asked the whale,
He shrugged and replied I don't.
Don't go telling me such a tale,
For I know for a fact you do.

You come down from the Arctic cold
To the coast of dusty Mexico,
A pack of lies I won't be sold
For I know for a fact you do.


The whale did look me straight in the eye,
Care to place a bet, for your opinion is not true.
Of course I'll bet," said I
"For I know for a fact you do.


You do, do you? You think you're sure?
He chuckled to himself.
I'm sure I'm sure and that's for sure,
For I know for a fact you do.

For how can you explain your annual trip,
North then South then North again?
You migrate on schedule like a steamer ship,
For I know for a fact you do.

The whale's wise eye did look me over,
He smiled slyly like a fox,
Don't look at me like I'm not sober,
For I know for a fact you do.

Then explain to me what it's all about,
This bi-annual coastal swim-a-thon?
Do you take me for an ignorant lout?
For I know for a fact you do.

The whale said, you do assume much, it's true
But things are not always as they seem,
I see you migrate, I said, do you think I haven't got a clue?
For I know for a fact you do.

Well my so so certain man,
It is time to set you straight,
See these little guys that upon my flippers stand?
For I know for a fact you do

You mean the barnacles on your skin?
I said with amused surprise.
Yes the ones also upon my fin,
For I know for a fact you do.

You see," said the very large and friendly whale.
These little guys they are my friends,
And my friendship I will not fail.
Please know that as a fact will you.

It's the barnacles that migrate you see
Not I, and as their friend I go along,
For I love to travel on the sea,
So please know that as a fact will you.

A likely story, said I with doubting emotion,
They are such insignificant things,
And you are the lord and king of the ocean
For I know for a fact you are.

To waste your time on such small fry,
To ferry them to and fro,
Is simply a cover for a lie,
You migrate, I know for a fact you do.

They are my friends, he said with a sigh
And wiser beyond their size
My respect for them is real, I tell you I do not lie
Please know that as a fact will you.

It is not they who cling to me,
It is I who holds on to them,
They give me music under the sea
Please know that as a fact you see.

For things are not always what they seem to be
And size is not the important thing,
I am wise but they are wiser than me
They are indeed wiser than you and that's a fact you see.

Wisdom is not based on brain or size,
But upon adapting and surviving.
These hard shelled ones are sages wise,
For I know for a fact they are.

You've been here for a million years
And I for thirty two,
They have been here for half a billion years
That is a fact for you.


And they will be here when we will be no more
When my bones will rest upon the ocean floor
And you lie in dust upon the shore,
I know for a fact it's true.

So out of respect I give them a ride,
And hope to learn a thing or two,
With their help we may abide
For that I hope will also be a fact it's true.

It is the tiny, tiny creatures
Who lead life in this race
Their wisdom is their greatest feature,
I know for a fact it's true.

They ride your ships and my tail,
It's the least for them we can do,
You are a man and I am a whale,
So do you now doubt my facts are true,

No says I, you are right,
Your nature lends them kindness,
We should learn that right is not might
In my heart I know that as a fact I do.

So gentle whale, sweet travels I wish for you.
My apologies to your guests please,
I know your words are true,
I know that now for a fact I do.

The whale is big and grand and wise
The barnacle is a little guy but wiser still,
Man so sure of himself has wisdom based on lies,
Self deception unfortunately is also a fact it's true.


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