By Zara Quiter, TIWP Student, Age 9
The girl at the beach was having a blast.
The girl at the beach was having fun at last.
The girl at the beach is going to the water.
The girl at the beach’s fun is drowned.
Down, down, down, in the water.
Drowned, drowned, drowned. The fun is drowned.
What a poor little girl, lost forever. But maybe I can help?
Diving deep into the despair, I pick up the dying girl.
Up, up, up! Into the air.
Swim, swim, swim. Swim through despair.
Come, girl. Be happy.
Come, girl. Don’t be sad.
Come, girl. Despair can be moved.
Come, girl. We can not lose you.
Us mermaids have seen people die into despair after closing their eyes.
Every time some human dies from their despair, we blame each other or pretend nothing is there.
Happy, happy, happy. Come back.
Come, girl. Don’t die.
Come, girl. Despair is dangerous.
Come, girl. Remember that love.
This is where I leave you.
The happy shores you love.
This is where I leave you.
Safe from despair.
Come, girl. You can change the world.
Pens of the Pandemic 
This is a gift from Elizabeth. She gave me a painting and I was inspired.
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