dolphins break the surface 
scattering starlight, but 
far below in the kelp forest, 
dancing on waves of 
blue bioluminescence, 
lantern fish glow 
and sea nettle pulse,
long tentacles like the 
hair of mermaids, circling, 
in the lonely twilight 
to the music of the sea, 
that’s where I would be 
were there a mermaid in me  

Copyright 2025 Brenda Davis Harsham

Notes: Wading in the ocean, I was stung by sea nettle off Chincoteague Virginia years ago. The tentacles wrapped around my legs, and my skin burned for hours. I missed other area wildlife including wild ponies, snow geese, fox squirrels and ghost crabs. Someday, I’d like to return and see those. I’ve seen northern lights above my own house, but one day I’d like to see bioluminescence. What’s on your bucket list? 

The Mermaid statute above looks like she can feel the sting of sea nettle, too. The statue is in the Memorial Art Gallery in Rochester, NY.