Intelligent Invertebrate: The Octopus

Intelligent Invertebrate: The Octopus


Legendary behemoth,
Amazing creature of the deep.
Whose imagination created such a creature?
Beak like a parrot, venom of a snake,
ink from an old-fashioned pen.

Eight appendages, covered with suckers,
tastes with its skin.
Master of camouflage,
moves with jet propulsion.

Intelligent with keen vision,
challenging any who dare to imprison her,
with an ability to squeeze through
very tiny openings.

Legends of ships destroyed,
Yet weighs at most 33 pounds,
or as little .035 ounces;
arm span of 1 inch to 14 feet.

Short life of 6 months to 5 years,
ending with procreation,
protection of eggs,
senescence and death.

Behemoth? Monster?
Angry and aggressive?
Or a shy, harmless being
we misunderstand?

© Marcia McLaughlin
April 5, 2019