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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