Born wild, then you were caught
And into captivity, you were brought.
Not really finding a place you belonged
You moved around often each place was wrong.
Finally, you showed the world something new
When you starred as “Willy” in your movie debut.
Whales in tanks don’t get there by magic.
First, they must face something quite tragic.
They’re captured in nets, taken from home,
Separated from their family, they are alone.
Put in a pool much smaller than the sea
Try to cry out humans don’t hear their plea.
You gave hope to captive orcas everywhere.
Slowly one by one people started to care.
Finally out of your small, filthy tank you went
To a much larger one and there you spent
Many a day relearning how to be
A wild orca that would someday swim free.
Then it came the day you could finally feel
Your home waters of Iceland. Could it be real?
You spent many years learning to be free.
Until that special day, you swam out to sea.
No more swimming in circles or eating dead fish,
At last, our Keiko you got your wish.
But all things good do come to an end.
For the rest of your life you decided to spend
Your time with humans instead of your kind.
Even male orcas can change their mind.
Even though sweet Keiko you are no longer here,
And every human and whale will shed a tear.
You will never be forgotten as long as there’ll be
An orca held in captivity.
With these final words, I wish you “swim free,”
And forever find peace through eternity.

Erin

 

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