Friday, July 19, 2013

Stung

Moon Jellyfish

I'm not sure if my fascination with the deep ocean is inspired more by awe or dread.  This undersea world both attracts and repels me in equal parts, and as a result, I am left hypnotized.

Creatively, I wouldn't have it any other way.

Thanks for stopping by... I hope you enjoy today's little ditty.
 

          Stung

          By the light of your silvery orb
          mysteriously hung
          in air thick with flotsam,
          I mistook your pulse
          for the twinkle of a star
          and sent my wish into the great unknown.
          Over time and tide,
          your sting no longer pains me. 
          Memories washed out to sea.

          © 2013 Michelle Heidenrich Barnes. All rights reserved.


 


Today's Poetry Friday roundup is being hosted by MsMac at Check It Out.  So why don't you go do that... check it out, I mean. 


18 comments:

  1. I think your poem perfectly expresses that combination of fascination and fear, which I share. I love the silvery orb and the memories washed out to sea.

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  2. Michelle, I, too, am often inspired by the big bad ocean and all the life it contains... nice poem! I've also been stung by jellyfish a number of times. NOT nice at all. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Supposedly the moon jellyfish has "mild to no sting," but I'm not about to go investigate! Thanks for stopping by.

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  3. The photo of the moon jellyfish matches your beautiful poetry. It's always the things that frighten us that captivate us the most. :)

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    1. Isn't that the truth! Thanks for your kind words, Myra.

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  4. Both are wonderful! I like how the poem sounds mysterious perfectly matching a jellyfish.

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    1. Thanks Catherine. I was delighted to find that photo-- it reminds me of the night sky.

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  5. Despite the creativity, I hope you don't run/swim into any on vacation! I love your dread/appreciation of things in the ocean. It truly is a mysterious world.

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    1. I doubt we'll run into anything on vaca. Did I tell you about the time Peter and I traversed up the Aussie national seashore (this was pre-kids) and came across about a zillion blue bottle jellyfish washed up on the sand? Now that was something not to mess with... even if they were mostly dead.

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  6. I'm headed for the ocean in about a week, and love it when I go, but there is a part that still understands so little. Love that you tried to express some of your feelings here that look differently at something.

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    1. Yes, Linda-- my feelings exactly! More than anything, it's my discomfort with "the unknown." I'm headed for the ocean in about a week too... see you there. :)

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  7. Very nice, Michelle! I especially was taken with:

    " I mistook your pulse
    for the twinkle of a star
    and sent my wish into the great unknown."

    Remarkably, I have a poem that connects stars and jellyfish and Keri will be sharing it next week!

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  8. The more I get to know you and Tabatha through Poetry Friday the more I think we all need to sit down for a cup of tea. I agree that the idea of introducing the star-wish is a brilliant and unexpected turn that takes this poem to a deeper level. I'm the person at the aquarium exhibit who can't seem to move past the jellyfish exhibit.

    I'm excited about sharing your poem next week, Tabatha! ;-)

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    1. Ooooooh, I would LOVE that! Water's in the kettle, scones in the oven... my place at 3:00. See you soon. :)

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  9. My favorite line is "I mistook your pulse for the twinkle of a star.". I love imagining the depth of the sea like the night sky. I am fascinated by jelly fish but only when they are safely in a glass cage.

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