it looked like lace underwear on the rocks
“is that a jellyfish” you turn to me
front teeth wedged into a Sandringham rock
and you said “mrrr” because your teeth were stuck
i couldn’t understand you so i reached
for the sack peeling it like a thong
off the slicked stones. when i lifted it
it sagged in my hand and i convinced myself
it had stung me. i said “ouch” even though
it was a lie. somewhere along the beach
i had cut my foot sole and the salt stung.
i cradled it in my arms. like something sucked
dry. empty little blood bag. i imagine it red
and feeding. i imagine it swimming.
lower it into the water so it can be full.
you swallow
your rock. “it’s dead. there’s nothing left
in it.”
on the way down to Sandringham i dropped
my railcard onto the tracks near platform 3. it
doesn’t matter, you said. it’s winter. we
won’t come back.
i balance the jellyfish on my finger
like a silver spoon on the edge of a cereal bowl.
i imagine it asleep, waiting for the sun.
i imagine it swimming.
Dylan is 21 and non-binary. For the most part they have given up on everything and now live at the bottom of the sea. Find them in a fish tank near you. They currently live in Norwich with their love.
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