Moirean learns an important lesson about sea creatures...

~~~~Eulogy to an Octopus~~~~

Onwards I swam, into the depths of murk
Past shark, siren, on through the surf and swell
Through reefs of stone where foul, fell creatures lurk
Down to Riparium, where mermen dwell

Within a modest shop I stopped to browse
Bait its niche, the shelves littered with bright wares
Fish of all type and scale, lifeless, unroused
Then a dry, feeble squeak snapped me aware!

Limp and 'lone, a small cephalopod lay
Forlornly staring at me with eyes wide
Tentacles tangled, a meek disarray
At our first meeting, my dear, oh, I cried!

Piercing my heart with your pitiful gaze
A love was born beneath the briny waves

Away I bore you, from that awful fate
clutched to my breast, healing hands on your brow
Your life would not end on some merman's plate!
To protect you became my solemn vow

Upwards we swam in a pocket of air
Nestled close, your wide, soft eyes full of trust
Oh, my dear pet, I named you then and there!
Inky, I clapped, as your squeaks grew robust.

But life can be cruel and tricksy at times
Sly and unfair, burning darkly livid
My ignorance damned us, my zeal, a crime
How could I know your dire need of liquid!

My dear, dead, dessicated octopus
That Renewal shall find you, this I trust.

Penned by my hand on the 19th of Niuran, in the year 200 MA.