Ann Peck Poet Rhyme

Notes About The Poem

I was moved by a beautiful documentary on Netflix titled something like, "What I Learned from an Octopus." It's about a deepsea diver's lengthy interaction with an octopus and how she responded to him. Truly amazing.

 

 

 

 

 

The Gift From the Sea

This is a story about a man
who deepsea-dived to another land.
Where forests of kelp grow so high
they can almost glimpse the blue of the sky.

Where darting fish play in a waterfall,
the man followed a sea nymph's call.
She was an octopus, he was a man,
this meeting designed by a non-mortal hand.

He followed her as she gathered her meals
and when she hid from a predator's zeal.
She knew he was there but would not interfere
with her meanderings far and near.

One day one tentacle touched his hand,
and their differences fell away like the sand.
Each day they swam, he not too near,
but she always sensed his presence there.

She became a creature of magnificent grace
touching his hand, caressing his face.
Finally, she lay her body upon his chest,
her farewell gift for his earnestness.

The next time he dived she had company:
her mate, which he knew he could never be.
He watched her give birth then, as prearranged,
she must forfeit her life in sea's equal exchange.

Weaker she grew as the days swam past
until she became part of the sea at last.
The pain was deep as he watched her leave.
Their unearthly bonding he silently grieved.

He knew sea creatures' lives can be swift;
but grateful he was given this special gift.
He learned a sea creature's ability to love
a man who, one day, appeared from above.

A beautiful saga about life and the sea
and a man embraced by its majesty.
Simply told, this story is true.
A man, an octopus, and the love they knew.

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Anne E Sangster - K April 6, 2021 at 8:04 PM Oh I am so glad you wrote this. I too watched that on Netflix. Excellent tribute to this man and that sweet octopus. I too was immensely moved by that documentary. Beautifully written Ann :-) Ann Peck April 13, 2021 at 7:54 AM Thank you, Anne! I loved that documentary. My only problem: I kept trying to breathe for the man:))

Ken Rone March 19, 2021 at 11:19 AM i come back to this poem so often, my memories of the Giant Pacific Octopi that grace Puget Sound. I have heard this story. Please enjoy your Friday Ann. Ann Peck March 20, 2021 at 12:58 PM Thanks, Ken. My husband's parents lived first on Camano Island and then Anacortes. We visited 4 times. They're gone now, as well as my husband. Beautiful, beautiful country. It has stayed in my heart.

Beryl Edmonds March 10, 2021 at 10:04 AM Absolutely wonderful Ann, you told this true story so well through poetry, marvellous... Belle Ann Peck March 20, 2021 at 1:00 PM Thank you, Belle. I thought the story was so beautiful and amazing.

John Gondolf February 3, 2021 at 11:36 AM You tell a beautiful story, Ann, I enjoyed this little fantasy...or perhaps it is about an impossible love that we have all know at one time or another in our lives. John Ann Peck February 7, 2021 at 1:57 PM thanks, John. Actually, I was inspired by a documentary on Netflix called What I Learned from an Octopus. The story is true and beautiful about man and octopus interacting.