The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

The Alaska state flag on the bow of the MV Matanuska at the Auke Bay Ferry Terminal on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2020. (Peter Segall | Juneau Empire)

Opinion: I’m speaking up for transportation

A letter to the editor in the form of a poem.

I am speaking up for transportation,

specifically the ferry which has been the life blood

and circulation

for the Southeast congregation.

The ferries are vital to our migration,

helps to change the station,

to travel for your occupation,

or your education

to go to Celebration,

to receive your medication,

god forbid to go get hospitalization,

or use your PFD and go on a tropical vacation to

release stagnation

and inspire the imagination

But now residents of Southeast are full of frustration

because of this awful situation

the total evaporation of our reliable transportation

There has been a major complication

with the ferry cancellation

and its’ time for retaliation

to stand up this miscalculation

which is causing devastation

to the population of

the heart of the Southeast Alaska Nation.

Communities that were once connected by transportation

are now suffering alone in separation

There is so much dread and trepidation

Our only way to travel is by aviation

We hold our breath and pray for elevation

(rather than flotation)

No ferries feels like a major castration

for a place that once was

a special destination

It is the state’s obligation

to use some innovation

to restore Alaska’s positive vibration

and reconnect our civilization

and repair this awful situation

easing the level of desperation

Give Alaskans a reason for exhalation

or suffer mass resident evacuation

Please restore our ferries,

The heart of Southeast Alaska’s transportation.

For your consideration,

Mandy Ramsey,

Haines