Inky Poem by jackilton peachum

INKY
(National Aquarium, Napier, New Zealand,
Apr.16,2016)

Holy Hanna- Inky the octopus is on the lam- gone- escaped!
Ah, no, we haven't notified the police- yet!
Hmmm- description? Identifying marks? Scars?
(Hard to say-- they all look alike, you know- these octopoda!)
Well, now- he's about the size of a soccer-ball.
Age? Indeterminate. Rather green, of course.
Eight tentacles-not dangerous, no- you might say he's unarmed!
We tried to make him comfortable- catered to his every wish,
provided that nice spacious tank- but I think he took advantage:
someone left top of the tank open and off he went-
dropped to the floor, slithered eight feet, and down a drainpipe!
Oh, he's very smart- clever, I'd say- at opening jars,
or building a house of coconut shells and riptides
at the bottom of the sea
- and ruthless- he left his partner Blotchy behind
- not a glance back I'm sure!
To sea perhaps- or lonesome for the missus.
I don't think he'll be back.