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My Eight-Armed Visitor

Anchored 25 miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico The rod bends sharply; anxiously I struggle to pull up my catch Alas, not dinner, just a mischievous scarlet octopus The line is cut, but with suction cups it clings to the boat Why couldn’t this have been the one that got away? *June 13, 2018 For Silent One's "Five Lines"

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Paul Callus

Date: 12/5/2018 2:34:00 PM

This is indeed a witty cute write, Carolyn. Hope you found time to shake hands, although I suppose it would have been quite tiring! Love // paul

Duke Beaufort

Date: 10/10/2018 5:42:00 PM

Wonderful creatures in the ocean. Fishing is a lot of fun. We never know what each cast will bring. Hope this octopus was ok.

Connie Marcum Wong

Date: 7/29/2018 10:53:00 PM

Awww this is so sweet Carolyn. Every life holds meaning even the creatures of the sea. I can feel your compassion for this octopus and I agree it is bittersweet. Congratulations on your win my friend! : )

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 7/31/2018 7:11:00 AM

After this happened, I went to a marine research center and learned how smart the octopus is. They are amazing creatures!

Susan Gentry

Date: 6/21/2018 5:20:00 PM

Congratulations on your win! Well done.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/19/2018 3:28:00 PM

Good to see this one with a win, Carolyn. Congrats to you!

Reason A. Poteet

Date: 6/18/2018 11:22:00 AM

I like the line five. Build-up was exciting enough but line five clinched the settled humor of the poet. Applause! Applause!

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/17/2018 12:30:00 PM

- I visit your poem Carlyn, with congratulations and a hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/17/2018 2:42:00 PM

Thank you, Dear.

Heidi Sands

Date: 6/17/2018 11:28:00 AM

Congratulations for your win Carolyn :)

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/17/2018 2:42:00 PM

Thanks, Heidi.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/17/2018 11:21:00 AM

Back with congratulations Carolyn. Tom.

Silent One

Date: 6/17/2018 6:45:00 AM

Oh dear... sounds scary! Congratulations on your placement in the contest..

Caycay Jennings

Date: 6/15/2018 1:49:00 AM

Yes, make it so - make it get away with its nasty suction cups! You woke me up, from my poetry-adrenaline spot on down to my gut - yuck - you woke me up. This is adorable and further proof how wonderful life is because our unique minds travel unique creativity-paths. It just dawned on me that this poem would go great on a poster! (money maker maybe?) Poetry hugs ... CayCay

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/14/2018 6:55:00 PM

haha, this one was SO charming, Carolyn. Loved the light humor at the end.

Harry Horsman

Date: 6/14/2018 4:22:00 PM

Ah, brilliant, he or she must had read your poetry Carolyn,,who could blame them for hanging on there?

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/14/2018 5:44:00 PM

You're so witty, Harry, but I'm the one "hanging" on every word in YOUR poetry!

John Gondolf

Date: 6/14/2018 9:53:00 AM

Just when you think you've hooked a really nice one...I love the theme of this write, Carolyn, makes me want to be out there on the blue water. Best of luck. John

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/14/2018 5:43:00 PM

John, that's a very nice co-write you did with Rhoda! Love sonnets are delightful to read.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/14/2018 3:43:00 AM

- A real big catch - I think it's the first poem I have read here on the "soup" of an octopus - Great suggestions for this contest Carolyn, good luck :) - (I will post my suggestion now :) - hugs // Anne-Lise :)

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/14/2018 5:45:00 PM

You are a bright light on this poetry site, Sunshine. Thank you for giving us such uplifting poetry.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 6/14/2018 2:20:00 AM

Wow ,what an experience Carolyn. But it could have been a lot worse, great white comes to mind lol. Tom.

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/14/2018 5:31:00 PM

A few years ago, I posted a poem about a very large tiger shark that stripped the line from my pole as he swam away. That was the "largest" catch I've had, but once I caught and returned to the sea a Goliath grouper. I was on a charter cruise off Key West and the skipper said it weighed 50 pounds. They are endangered.

Tim Smith

Date: 6/13/2018 6:10:00 PM

Lol...holding on for dear life... excellent Carolyn

Carolyn Devonshire
Date: 6/13/2018 6:59:00 PM

Yup, this really happened. "Florida Wildlife" published the story after I tried to pry the octopus off the boat. It had more arms than I. Will never forget that day.