The Deep.

far water the dark water column fading from teal to near black, with a faint school of silver fish crossing high up.

the middle an old diver in a round brass helmet walking slowly along a sand ridge, holding up a glass lantern full of glowing green plankton, a line of curious jellyfish drifting behind him like ducklings.

up close tall ribbons of kelp parting around the ridge, a startled octopus tucked into a barnacle covered anchor, and small shells scattered on the sand catching the lantern light.

far water the bright surface far above, sun rays fanning down, tiny boats' hulls dimpling the ceiling of the sea.

the middle the whale itself, barnacled and kind eyed, with dozens of small glass bottles tied along her flank by seagrass cords, each bottle holding a rolled paper.

up close a relay of fish couriers, a mackerel taking a bottle from a puffer, a crab on a sponge sorting bottles by size, and one seahorse waiting with a parcel of pearls.

far water wet rock walls rimming the pool, the low sun laying an orange stripe across the still water.

the middle the pool floor arranged like a tiny city, anemone towers, a barnacle amphitheater, streets of pebble cobblestone, hermit crabs pulling shell carts.

up close the mayor starfish on a flat stone balcony, two shrimp sweeping the cobbles, a snail lamplighter touching a glowing dot of algae, and a tiny fish peeking over the rim.

far water hazy green water and far kelp trunks converging upward, sun shafts between them.

the middle the wide central aisle of the grove, a slow procession of sea turtles gliding through, each carrying a garden of small anemones on its shell.

up close a curtain of near kelp fronds pulled aside, an otter usher floating on its back with a sea urchin snack, and a choir of small orange garibaldi fish arranged on a fallen trunk.

far water the cave wall studded with soft glowing blue dots, a lullaby of faint light trails where plankton drift.

the middle rows of sleeping pods, an octopus curled in a teacup sponge, squid hatchlings in hammocks of woven seagrass, a nurse shark circling slowly like a night guard.

up close one wide awake baby cuttlefish practicing color changes, its skin rippling stripes and spots, and a mother anglerfish dimming her lure like a lamp being turned down.

far water the tilted hull with light pouring through gaps in the planks.

the middle the deck planted in rows, coral trees heavy with clam fruit, fan sponges espaliered along the rail, an eel gardener winding between rows with a trowel in its mouth.

up close a wheelbarrow made from half a rowboat full of pearls, three fish pickers with woven baskets, and a crab dozing in the shade of a huge rhubarb red sea fan.

far water the huge blurred moon above the surface and its long reflection breaking through the swell.

the middle a fleet of moon jellyfish drifting in a loose line, each carrying one small passenger under its bell, a mouse in a diving suit, a sparrow in a bubble, a kitten in a copper helmet.

up close the ticket taker, a wise old crab on a floating plank, taking fares of buttons and beads into an open oyster shell.

far water the reef wall blurred by speed lines of small silver fish.

the middle a race in full flight down the current, a sailfish in the lead, a squid firing along in second, a young turtle drafting in third, all passing between gates made of tall red sea whips.

up close the crowd on the reef shelf, urchins waving pennant flags of torn kelp, a grouper announcer with a conch shell, and one small crab holding out a cup of plankton to the racers.

far water the underside of the ice sheet, ridged and glowing, one dark hole where a fishing line drops through.

the middle a slow parade of beluga whales the color of the ice, weaving between hanging icicles of frozen brine.

up close a colony of penguins torpedoing past in formation leaving trails of bubbles, two seals playing catch with a silver fish who is in on the game, and a lantern of krill swirling like snow.

far water the grand staircase fading down into dark water, columns furred with algae on either side.

the middle fish browsing between the columns as if between shelves, an octopus perched on a stone rail turning a flat mother of pearl shell over in two arms, a beam of light from a crack far above landing on the landing.

up close a stone lion statue wearing a wig of purple seaweed, a school of tiny gold fish pouring down the steps like spilled coins, and an eel disappearing around the newel post.