The sun filters through the water, wavering in the waves' unsteady movement. Miniscule organisms flit through the clear water, and filter the sun to create the basis of life, all life, on earth. Creatures large and small consume the tiny ones, some coming from around the globe. These creatures are eaten by others, and their consumers, others still. Yet, none see the silent death threatening. None see the ghosts of human existence shrouding their lives, threatening to choke the balance.
Looking toward the light is a tiny seahorse. The creature may be small, but it is in no way safe from the predatory eyes above. This tiny seahorse has just begun its quest for life, drifting aimlessly among the currents, alone. The little one had started its life as one of 200 brothers and sisters clinging to one another for security. That security has long since left this little seahorse behind, leaving him to fend for himself in the vast, glowing world of the surface.
Now, the tiny seahorse can only snag the small plankton drifting with him in the currents. The only creatures brave enough, or helpless enough, to fall prey to the seahorse. Those plankton, too, no matter how small, are unable to escape the chocking grasp on humans in the ocean. Small plastics fill their tiny stomachs that now reside in the stomach of the seahorse.
Farther and farther the tiny life drifts through the ocean, ever searching the reef for a purchase, a home, to make his own. His tiny fins slow, exhaustion seeping into his tiny soul. So long, he had been alone for so long...
Suddenly, a flash of pink catches the seahorse's eye. A home, more seahorses must be near! With renewed vigor, the seahorse swims and latches on with its long whipping tail. The feel of a solid item beneath him allows him to sneak into the oblivious feeling of safety. The same feeling, he felt with his brothers and sisters. The seahorse drifts into a much needed state of rest.
When the seahorse once again feels the tugging of the tide, he clenches tighter to his home. But the movement never stops. No matter how hard the seahorse clings to life, he still drifts farther. Desperation clings to the seahorse's tired soul, What is happening to me?
The seahorse drifts for the duration of its tiny life, plastic collecting in its tiny body, loneliness haunting its every waking moment until it is claimed by the cavernous maw humanity's insatiable desire to grow.
One life is snuffed and the light in the ocean grows dimmer, but their still remains a choice.
One life can be the difference to save the millions of creatures that wander and dwell within the vast reaches of the ocean. One person can take one photo and allow life in the oceans to prevail, not just in an invisible bubble of safety, but in real life.
One tiny life can end the question: what is happening to me?
