It’s time for another installment of the Soaring Twenties monthly Symposium, and this month’s theme is Risk. Check out the STSC page link and consider joining. The risk of being a starfish isn’t in the peril of predation but in the largeness of mind because starfish lack the symmetry of body and instead only have the radiality of a head. One head and nothing more. Those arms are not limbs, and the center of the sea star is not a trunk. Instead, it is one embodied head with five or so appendages glissading along on its lips. An eye at the end of each ray lets in the difference between dark and light. All those openings are another verification that the starfish is just, or rather all, a head.
Glad to see you here, Trility! I used to live in Seattle, and have taken the Vashon ferry several times. The wait can be excruciating now. Since the pandemic, they don't have enough experienced crew, so they cut sailings without notice if not enough crew shows up! And seastars! I studied invertebrate marine biology and never knew that about the head! Sort of like the octopus! Oh, I had better quit or we will be buried under exclamation points! Great article! Beautifully written!
Did you know that while waiting for the Vashon ferry that you were mere blocks from my house? Or my ex-house depending on when you were there. I used to travel the Vashon route quite frequently, either to visit the island itself or as a stopover on the way to the far side of Southworth and points beyond.
Did you know that I knew nothing much about starfish and now I know more thanks to you? Your poetic vision of these creatures gives them a glow I didn't know they had. They do feel fun in your hand, too.
Glad to see you here, Trility! I used to live in Seattle, and have taken the Vashon ferry several times. The wait can be excruciating now. Since the pandemic, they don't have enough experienced crew, so they cut sailings without notice if not enough crew shows up! And seastars! I studied invertebrate marine biology and never knew that about the head! Sort of like the octopus! Oh, I had better quit or we will be buried under exclamation points! Great article! Beautifully written!
Beautiful piece, Trilety. I love the way it travels from elliptical to direct.
And on a personal note, I can’t imagine growing up landlocked! It’s a treat to read about that aspect as well.
Did you know that while waiting for the Vashon ferry that you were mere blocks from my house? Or my ex-house depending on when you were there. I used to travel the Vashon route quite frequently, either to visit the island itself or as a stopover on the way to the far side of Southworth and points beyond.
Did you know that I knew nothing much about starfish and now I know more thanks to you? Your poetic vision of these creatures gives them a glow I didn't know they had. They do feel fun in your hand, too.