Walking along the beach yesterday with my sister and parents, we saw a Portuguese Man of War jellyfish washed up on the shore. We used to see them often when we would come to the beach as children, and we knew to stay away from them because their tentacles could sting you. But this one was so beautiful that we all got closer to admire it. The ones in my memory looked like deflated party balloons, but this one had freshly washed ashore and was sparkling in the sun. Its light pink dorsal fin sat proudly on top of its translucent light blue body, the infamous royal blue tentacles tucked underneath. As I got closer, I thought I saw its body twitch, and wondered if it was still alive, and if I should try to find a way to put it back into the water. Then I thought, it was probably just the wind moving it, and I shouldn’t mess with it, but I do feel slightly guilty for leaving it there.
The recent feeling is that I should do more or be more involved to try to change the way the world is going and to help people, but I don’t know how, or maybe I am not trying hard enough. And that perspective can change. Something that seemed dangerous before can turn into something beautiful that you want to protect.
Glow–The idea that dangerous things in nature still need to be protected is such a beautiful one. I also love the vulnerability with emotions here–beauty, fear, memory, guilt, the desire to help.
Grow—What’s the emotional tone here? I get a bit of awe, and maybe of defeat, since you want to help, and can’t for whatever reason. That’s such a real, and universal experience.
Go—I was curious about the sensory details of the scene. Try layering in some sensory detail: When you got closer, was there a scent to the Man of War? What did you imagine its skin would feel like. How did the sun feel overhead? You mention the wind—that has a feel, and sometimes a sound, and smell, too.