Octopus Old Age
Octopus old age
Imagine what it could mean
The generational enrichment
Of everything learned
When alas
‘Tis lost in a cloud of sadness
As new lives begin
The mother destined to pass
Her epic ordeal fulfilled
And she succumbs
To the inevitable
Perhaps a quantum leap
From the intelligent mind
Of an octopus from both sides
One male and another female
Share their thinking;
Engaging in a life
Of mutual habitation
And preservation of the highest order
For as a family
The octopus would transition
To its true potential
A selfless male
His circle cast wider than before
As acceptance of responsibility
To seek food for the female
While she stands vigilant
Guarding and nurturing
The offspring soon to be revealed
And so when the days pass
Tiny octopi emerge
Yet she does not perish
Instead entering motherhood
For the first time…
Tiny octopi
Fragile and defenseless
Once alone from birth
At the mercy of the sea
Their journey into the great unknown
Would finally be under the tutelage
Of another; a mother
At last
Allowing knowledge to be passed
From one generation to the next
And when they are stronger
She’ll see them free
Or perhaps a colony
Her single trial with mating and birthing
Sensationally completed
She was then free to learn and teach
Surviving for nearly a decade
Over four times longer
Than the previous
Death by exhaustion brought
During the incubation period
How great could they be
These aliens of the sea
With intelligence expanded
Exponentially
The noble octopus
Would not act aggressively
Toward other creatures
Ruling with a silent strength
And the earned respect
Demonstrated with the simple things
Intelligence and family
Author’s Notes
This was inspired by a documentary I watched on the Gaia channel that opened my eyes to the amazing lives of these creatures of the deep.
- When We Lost Control - October 13, 2025
- The Crumbling Space Around Me - October 10, 2025
- Sorrow - October 9, 2025
Thought-provoking indeed Ralph, and they are so intelligent. We humans assume too much and judge what we do not understand. Nicely penned and expressed and I do love the pic too, as if smiling for the photo. Great work Ralph.
Sad smiles for all octopus. Thought provoking and really nicely penned.
Thank you so much for sharing this amazing write on octopuses..how intelligent they are in learning by themselves the ways that would ensure their betterment..really enjoyed reading about their transition..
Ralph this is a great piece on the octopus. I remember the first time I saw one in person (in octopus?). I was eight years old when my father took the family to a museum in Tacoma, WA. I was fascinated with an octopus moving around her aquarium and doing tricks with different skill toys, she was so intelligent. I reached up to see if I could touch the water and she came over and reached up to touch me gently. It was an amazing experience for me. That octopus was not very old, maybe the size of a basket ball, but her arms were so long. I love your poem. Marvelous work dear poet.