Jellyfish jam
sugar-coated with spam
‘But I’m already dead’
the jellyfish said:
‘I’m your mushroom-cloud
polyurethane shroud
and I’m blooming without
while within there’s a drought
and it isn’t your fault;
it was never your fault:
you were such a success
populating this mess
but I’m taking my leave
there’ll be time yet to grieve
for my kind when we’re gone
and the ocean’s forlorn.
But your doubts and your fears
can you drown them with tears?
Like you’ve drowned your own kind
I’d say ‘time out of mind.’
Jellyfish jam
still I am what I am
as I’ve only just said
I am already dead.’
© Experimentsinfiction 2021, All Rights Reserved
Written for Earthweal
This week at Earthweal, Brendan has given us the following challenge:
For this challenge, write about Already Dead. What does Already Dead look and feel like, what echoes do you hear in the registers of extinction, what gifts and/or freedoms does it bestow?
I granted myself the freedom to channel my inner Edward Lear for this poem.
Jellyfish are fascinating creatures: just take a look at this article. Though the poem discusses jellyfish dying out, they are literally blooming at the moment due to changes in climactic conditions. However, if all of the other ocean creatures die out, I do not believe jellyfish (like the rest of us) stand much of a chance in the long run.
The featured image is of a barrel jellyfish. I’ve been seeing these a lot recently. We couldn’t decide whether this one was alive, or already dead. It had one tentacle missing so I suspect its days were numbered.
You reminded me of that old joke about getting tulips from hamster jam!
Jellyfish jam…very funny
Hamster jam? Took me a moment 😂
When it’s Spring again🙂
I’ll bring again
Tulips from Hamster Jam!
I can hear you singing it now!
Yes it’s my native tongue!
haha!
Wonderful
Thank you 🙏
You’re welcome
I thought so too 🙏
Thank you 😊
Fun read. I wanted to dance. Would made a great kids book! You must have been smiling the whole time you wrote this, except for it’s sad reality.
Yes, it was a bit like that: mixed feelings!
I love jellyfish. Such magical creatures. I smiled at “the rhyming in your closing stanza, though the closing line is bleak. I love the “jellyfish jam. I am what I am.” Wonderful!
Thank you Sherry – a frivolous take on a serious subject. I saw many jellyfish destined to be stranded this morning ☹️
Oh this was splendid Ingrid!!
loved every bit of it as visions danced in my head as I read it! 👏👏👏👏👏❤️
I’m so pleased you enjoyed it Cindy: thank you 🥰 🥰🥰
I sure did. You’re most welcome!🤗👏👏👏🌷
On the surface, a fun flowing read, that is carefully crafted. The truth and depth behind the words is sad. I recently saw a show that featured the catching of glowing squid for human consumption. Heartbreaking. Such beautiful creatures that should be left alone. 😭 (puns intentionally intended 😉)
Thank you, Michele. I saw lots of poor jellyfish all getting washed up on the beach yesterday. A worrying sign that nature is out of balance. I hope you don’t have snow in Arizona! ❄️❤️🙏
Sad. 😢 It does seem nature is out of balance. Several regions in the US are experiencing record freezing temps. 🥶 Deadly weather for some. It is typical for higher elevations in Arizona to have snow this time of year, but, in the valley where I am, this is not common. Strangely enough… several spots did have a sprinkling of snow with our last rainfall a few weeks ago. It is odd to see saguaro cactus covered in snow. ❄ 🌵 😲
Yes, it’s a worrying trend 😳
It’s a delicate balance, especially in ocean environments. The stress will be experienced by all in the end. (K)
Yes, it’s quite worrying all of these little signs, then the bigger signs like Texas being frozen. I hope you’re warm and well where you are!
More snow tomorrow. February is determined to give us winter.
An Edward Lear/Lewis Carroll/John Lennon mash-up, I think! I love this ‘no nonsense’ poem, Ingrid! My favourite lines:
‘I’m your mushroom-cloud
polyurethane shroud
and I’m blooming without
while within there’s a drought’.
Poor old jellyfish.
Thank you Kim: I was particularly pleased with those lines 😊
‘Tis said as the oceans acidify from digesting so much CO2, jellyfish populations will explode in direct proportion to the collapse of fisheries. But what can live in a hot ocean? The sing song here takes a devastating phrase like “already dead” and weaves it in its nursery nightmare. Well done – Brendan
They are already exploding around here: it’s a worrying sign. Thank you Brendan.
There are lots of memorable lines and bits of awesome imagery here, Ingrid, well done!
Thanks Carolyn, this is one of my favourite poems that I’ve composed so far this year!