Salmon's Cycle

Written by Alice Wang from Weston High School in Massachusetts, USA

I was a salmon 

but I was also a mom 

where I was born 

was where I would die 

Every salmon mom tells the same story: 

“Baby fish are born in fresh water and grow up in sea water;

fresh water is where it begins” 

The ocean was where I belonged 

I didn’t like returning to somewhere 

I didn’t even remember 

to die 

but I had to 

On my way back 

I saw the plants that I felt familiar with 

but couldn't recall their names 

fresh water gave me a strange feeling 

of belonging 

Fresh water is where life ends

Or is it? 

I was a salmon 

but I was also a mom 

where I was born 

is where I died