Home » Poems » Carolyn Devonshire » My Eight-Armed Visitor

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"

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

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.