Chrysaora Quinquecirrha

...inspired by 'Voyages 1' by Hart Crane


Choreographed and coruscating, 
skidding in their see-through costumes
as the ocean's masqueraders, 
you scuffle and send them sideways.

Chrysaora Quinquecirrha, 
jellyfish abound and flounder 
'neath the surface smooth as glass, 
they pester and you're irritated,
epidermis penetrated
you howl, as you hobble on your way.

Deeper still the riptide churns, 
it's learned the tales of tragedy 
as you enjoy the ocean blue 
with rubber rafts and play toys, 
do not cheat the warning buoy, 
listen for its tell-tale sounds, 
the bottom of the sea is out of bounds.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2016



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Date: 1/16/2016 8:46:00 PM
i don't know the hart crane poem (i should look it up, i guess) but i like your poem very much without any references. i love the description of jellyfish. the monterey aquarium has an amazing collection of them - one of the highlights of a vacation there a few years ago. thanks for a great read, keith...
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Keith Bickerstaffe
Date: 1/16/2016 9:00:00 PM
No, thank YOU for the great review... Crane's original is called Voyages 1 and is a metaphor for the dissolution of a homosexual relationship which he took very hard. I just carried the sea imagery into my piece. Best wishes, Keith
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