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Sally Murphy, Australian author

Poetry Friday: Jellyfish

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May was a busy busy month for me. Actually, every month is busy, but May was super busy, with some personal stuff, some day job stuff, and a looming deadline for my poetry resource for Australian teachers. And that all meant I missed several Poetry Fridays.

Another thing I missed was snorkelling. That busyness coupled with the cooler weather kept me out of the water most of the month. But this week some of the busyness has gone, and on Tuesday I bought a new, warmer, wetsuit – and so I managed a snorkel both Wednesday and Thursday.

On Thursday I did my first ever river snorkel. I’d heard of a site where seahorses are regularly spotted, and it is close to my city unit, so I headed there. I spotted only the one seahorse, but it was my first ever seahorse, so I was pleased. But what really took my breath away were the jellyfish.

I confess that I have always had a bit of hesitancy to get anywhere near jellyfish. Some sting, and all seem, from the surface, weird, sticky creatures. But snorkelling has given me the opportunity to really see these amazing creatures up close. I am fascinated by the way they move,  and could watch them for hours.

Here’s a little footage so you can see what I mean.

 

Beautiful aren’t they?

And, of course, I came away wanting to write poetry about the beauty and the grace of these creatures. But nothing came out quite right. Yet.  I will keep trying, but in the meantime, I found this beautiful poem, which says all the things I wanted to say.

A Jelly-Fish

by Marianne Moore

Visible, invisible,
A fluctuating charm,
An amber-colored amethyst
Inhabits it; your arm
Approaches, and
It opens and
It closes;
You have meant
To catch it,
And it shrivels;
You abandon
Your intent—
It opens, and it
Closes and you
Reach for it—
The blue
Surrounding it
Grows cloudy, and
It floats away
From you.

(Poem in the public domain)

Have a wonderful Friday, and, if you love poetry, head over to Margaret’s blog to see lots more poetry goodness.

Comments

  1. Who knew that jellyfish were the perfect accompaniment to Pachelbel’s Canon? And the poem is perfect too!

  2. Sally, Moore’s poem does indeed capture the jelly fish. What an amazing video and Pachabel’s Canon was a perfect accompaniment, like a dance. I’m glad you returned to the water.

  3. Sally, the Marianne Moore you chose captures the unique movements of this aquatic curiosity so well. The opening and closing reminds me of the movement of a breaststroke swimmer or some breathing apparatus. It’s amazing how often our response to a new experience- like snorkeling in fresh water is to move so effortlessly towards poetry. A practiced response no doubt.

  4. I’ve never snorkeled so I am a bit envious of your experience seeing a real live seahorse. How enchanting jellyfish are! I’ve watched mesmerized at an aquarium. Lovely poem you found!

  5. So cool, Sally! I’m glad your schedule eased up a bit so you could snorkel and capture this amazing video. Moore’s poem pairs perfectly with it. 🙂

  6. The words (fluctuates, it opens and it closes) really evoke the movement of the jellyfish. Lovely poem! Thanks for sharing.

  7. How exciting to go river snorkeling, Sally. I love jellies! Our local aquarium has a wonderful exhibit, but it was so cool to see your video of jellyfish in their habitat. I like the way Moore captures the pulsing movement of jellyfish in her lines.

  8. Thank you for taking us river snorkeling with these amazing creatures. Wow. Otherworldly. Perfect music choice for your clips, and if you can’t write the right poem but you can FIND the right poem, I still call that a win!

  9. Love hearing about your snorkeling adventures. Thanks for the jellyfish poem and video — they are indeed very fascinating creatures (and like you, I’m a little afraid of the ones that sting). 🙂

    • Thank you Jama. Although I am still a little afraid, having been stung a few times has made me less worried – now I know what it feels like, it isn’t so bad.

  10. Sally. those are magical and mystical. I can see why you would be so enchanted. Even better than sea horses. Thanks for sharing the video and Marianne Moore’s poem about jellyfish. Lovely!

    • Thank you Denise. Yes, they are simply stunning, and Moore’s poem is a perfect complement.

  11. I love that you saw a seahorse, Sally! And the video & poem, “It opens, and it/Closes”, sometimes hard to believe they are real. I remember being mesmerized by a tank full of them in an aquarium. I hope June slows a bit for you & you get back to that river1

    • Thanks Linda. Yes, they do seem surreal. And yes, June is looking slightly less hectic, and I will be snorkelling more – and creating!

  12. What a lovely video! You sound busy too. Wow. So much going on…how can we have enough brain cells to create when they are needed for immediate administration of so many tasks? I love the jellyfish poem and I wish you some sweet moments of peace and creativity. I know you’ve got it in you…just need a little room for it.
    So nice to see you on a Poetry Friday in between deadlines!

    • Thanks Linda. Yes, day to day administrivia can sometimes overwhelm the creative impulse, but I am between semesters now and hoping to use the decreased pressure to create. and create some more.

  13. Sally, I love your adventures with water. Once again, you have captured a magnificent sight. I was so delighted by the video that these words popped out:
    ethereal creatures gently
    float in mystical rhythm
    like vibrating parachutes.

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