Innocuous though it seems,

to unknowledgeable minds

dwelling in different realms,

on separate heights,

in theory, only;

I knew the power of this being.

Curious, I could not see how it saw

with hidden eyes.

Yet it moved like it belonged,

for it belonged far longer than I.

I observed it’s undulations that

mimicked the movements of the deep sea,

drifting in and out of purpose,

yet existing here, same as me.

It needn’t be clever

though ancient genes made it so.

Defences may entangle

predators in its wake

or may be a cause to marvel

at the plumage of lion’s mane.

Perhaps this one could be

the elusive singular species

to achieve biological immortality.

Returning to that which was,

to begin anew.

Maybe symbiotic beings ride coattails,

but I simply watched;

knowing the danger,

revelling in muffled sound

at the strangeness

occupying this plane beneath the surface.

I imagined the feeling of getting caught

in this mess.

They say the pain is incomparable;

even deadly.

And it doesn’t take much.

I’m not sure I would even be an irritation

before the strike.

Shaking out of fanciful reverie

before I could be caught in the mess

of tentacles and deadly toxin,

I rose to the surface

with newfound appreciation

for the jellyfish.