An Adventurous Young Man Poem by Deanna Samuels

A young man decided he wanted adventure,
something unusual, out of the ordinary.
Checked his atlas, located a tiny island
in a remote tropical sea, which
immediately took his fancy, a place to explore.
A flight, train, battered bus and donkey cart,
an adventure itself, he arrived at water's edge.
Far in the distance, he could see his island goal.
A local fisherman, for a small sum,
loaned him his hand-carved boat.
The sun was low and already setting
as the young man rowed towards the island.
Hours passed as he paddled the heavy log.
At last, by moonlight, reached a sandy shore,
pulled log up, laid down to rest, exhausted.
In the early hours, awoke to a howling shriek.
What monstrous beast could make such cry?
The young man's moment of desired adventure
had come and trekked inland towards the howl.
Another frightening screech became even nearer.
Parting a thick clump of reeded grasses
that opened into a small mossy clearing,
the young man saw before him
a beautifully formed creature with numerous
smooth flowing arm-like tentacles
both captivating and seductive.
Its eyes penetrated deeply into his gaze and
understanding the danger, must run for his life
but he could not, the young man was paralyzed.
Unhappily accepts he has now had his adventure,
an adventure now leading to his imminent death
and as the creature continues to hold his gaze,
sweeps over his body draining him of his last breath.

At high tide, the crude log boat slips
away from the island's sandy shore,
drifts back to the small remote village,
its people knowing their yearly sacrifice made.


Written at Courtice, Ontario - 16th September 2025