Unspoken Jellyfish

I remember
summer outings
where my family
would visit my dad's Cousin's family
at a summer cottage
at the Nags head shore

These visits were always
joyful
The Cousin's family
always welcomed
us
The children
were so happy
Love was always
present
The days were spent
fishing
swimming
boat rides
and bountiful food
to glorify the event
Nights were consumed
with singing by campfire
and roasting smores
before we slept
We left vowing to
return
another year

A couple of years
later
marked the last
time we visited
our cousins
The visit
was something
my siblings and I
did not expect
No joyful
reunion
just a visit
of a family
in utter turmoil
from the loss
of their father
the year before

The children had evolved
into rebellious youth
that tormented
a widow
who struggled
to keep
her family
together
Our days were spent
fishing and swimming
yet there was no joy
just fighting
and chasing
the jellyfish
who drifted
in the water
with a stick

On the last day
of the visit
me and my cousin
were chastised
by his mother
for collecting
jellyfish
with a net
as we only
did so
to watch
them die
by the scorching
of the sun
My cousin's reply
to his mother
was
Who cares
if the jelly fish
suffer
and are left
abandoned
for
like us
they are ignored
left to fend for
themselves
and furthermore
their suffering is not
apparent
as they are not allowed to speak

A few years later
Correction officers
found my cousin
severely beaten
in his prison
cell
They believed
he had been
there for
days
but could not be for sure
as he was in a coma
and could not speak

To this day I cannot
see a jellyfish
without thinking
of my cousin
a small voice
who could not speak..............................................