Fortunately, I live by the sea.
Unfortunately, the sea is dying.
Fortunately, for me, the blob of seaweed is on the west coast.
Unfortunately, the east coast of Florida where I live has sharks.
Fortunately, the sharks prefer to eat other fish.
Unfortunately, overfishing has wiped out a lot of shark meals.
Fortunately, lifeguards keep watch from 10-6.
Unfortunately, those lifeguards are often distracted, on their phones.
Fortunately, phones provide charts about jellyfish blooms.
Unfortunately, a jellyfish can float away from the others.
Fortunately, pink moon jellies are easy for humans to spot.
Unfortunately, clear comb jellyfish are sometimes undetectable.
Fortunately, most jellyfish stings cause pain and swelling, but that’s about it.
Unfortunately, the sting of certain box jellies (or sea wasps) is fatal.
Fortunately, the pain of most stings can be relieved with vinegar.
Unfortunately, some people think human urine will help.
Fortunately, this myth makes for some good jokes.
Unfortunately, some of those jokes will be banned if our governor
has anything to say about it.
Fortunately, some banned books gain a wider readership.
Unfortunately, the governor wants to ban AP Black history courses.
Fortunately, students are making impromptu study groups, teaching
themselves.
Unfortunately, impromptu study groups are not available to everyone.
Fortunately, abortion is still available in some states.
Unfortunately, abortion is restricted to six weeks in Florida.
Fortunately, I kept my “Keep Abortion Save and Legal” bumper sticker from
the 70s.
Unfortunately, that bumper sticker is relevant again.
Fortunately, I still feel relevant when I write about these things.
Unfortunately, I sometimes feel scared to write what I feel.
Fortunately, I’m still feeling something.
Unfortunately, I feel rage and fear because of the mass shooting on
Hollywood Beach.
Fortunately—well, there aren’t many fortunate things to say about guns.
Unfortunately, I’m feeling outnumbered by bigots.
Fortunately, my rational brain knows there are more of my kind than
theirs.
Unfortunately, more drag queens and LGBTQ+ folk are under attack.
Fortunately, they have senses of humor—Rhonda DeSatan,
keep drag queens safe from children!
Unfortunately, Ron isn’t gracious when it comes to laughing at himself.
Fortunately, Ron’s rigid thinking would make him lose at improv.
Unfortunately, over 2000 sea creatures are threatened
according to the Endangered Species Act.
Fortunately, it’s sunny today with wild waves—and I am a creature who
loves the sea.

Denise Duhamel’s most recent books of poetry are Pink Lady (Pittsburgh, 2025), Second Story (2021), and Scald (2017). Blowout (2013) was a finalist for the National Book Critics Circle Award. She is a distinguished university professor in the MFA program at Florida International University in Miami.