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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"

animalseafree verse

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Paul Callus

December 5, 2018 at 2:34 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

October 10, 2018 at 5:42 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

July 29, 2018 at 10:53 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

July 31, 2018 at 7:11 AM

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

Susan Gentry

June 21, 2018 at 5:20 PM

Congratulations on your win! Well done.

Andrea Dietrich

June 19, 2018 at 3:28 PM

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

Reason A. Poteet

June 18, 2018 at 11:22 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

June 17, 2018 at 12:30 PM

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

Carolyn Devonshire

June 17, 2018 at 2:42 PM

Thank you, Dear.

Heidi Sands

June 17, 2018 at 11:28 AM

Congratulations for your win Carolyn :)

Carolyn Devonshire

June 17, 2018 at 2:42 PM

Thanks, Heidi.

Tom Cunningham

June 17, 2018 at 11:21 AM

Back with congratulations Carolyn. Tom.

Silent One

June 17, 2018 at 6:45 AM

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

CayCay Godwin

June 15, 2018 at 1:49 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

June 14, 2018 at 6:55 PM

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

Harry Horsman

June 14, 2018 at 4:22 PM

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

Carolyn Devonshire

June 14, 2018 at 5:44 PM

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

John Gondolf

June 14, 2018 at 9:53 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

June 14, 2018 at 5:43 PM

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

Anne-Lise Andresen

June 14, 2018 at 3:43 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

June 14, 2018 at 5:45 PM

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

Tom Cunningham

June 14, 2018 at 2:20 AM

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

Carolyn Devonshire

June 14, 2018 at 5:31 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

June 13, 2018 at 6:10 PM

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

Carolyn Devonshire

June 13, 2018 at 6:59 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.

My Eight-Armed Visitor

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