I enjoyed hosting Poetry Friday last week. Thanks to everyone who came over and left their contributions. This week Jone is hosting over at Deowriter. It's her first time hosting, too, so go over and show some love.
With all the things happening in the news, particularly the latest political merry-go round back home, it feels a bit strange to have light-hearted fare on offer today. But this week I thought I'd try a persona poem about a vampire squid (Vampyroteuthis infernalis literally "vampire squid from hell"!). I intended to respond to the call for octopus poems for the release of Irene Latham's Love, Agnes, but I ended up writing about this guy instead.
Vampire Squid
I live down deep
where so few thrive
in the depths
where the dark resides.
But suck your blood?
You bet I don't.
I feed on tiny things that float.
Eggs and
algae and
crab bits, yum.
I cast my fishing lines
to catch some grub.
I like mystery
and masquerade.
I'm not a true squid.
It's kind of a charade.
But don't be mad,
I don't mean to kid.
Blame the scientists.
They named me—
they did!
- © e. mauger
Hope you all have a productive weekend. See you next week!
How fun that you began researching octopuses for Irene & ended with a vampire squid & one who isn't really a squid. Love the ending, Erin, "blame the scientists"!
ReplyDeleteHaha, yes, it's easy to get sidetracked into other things when searching for something else!
DeleteErin, this is fantastic! I had never heard of a vampire squid before. And your poem is just perfect!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Rebecca. I'm glad you enjoyed it :) It was interesting to research/write.
DeleteHa! I like the fun at the end...because there are lots of facts mixed in to this light-hearted description. Great job. And, with rhyme. Well done.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda! I noticed when I did the other poem about bird beaks that I tried to put a lot in one go as well. I should experiment with drawing out one or two concepts over the course of a poem.
DeleteA squidlicious poem Erin, filled with fun facts, fancy, and a funny ending too, thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you liked it Michelle.
DeleteFun! Makes me think about how things get named...about the danger of a single story and the assumptions we make before we really know something (or someone)!
ReplyDeleteQuite true, Mary Lee. Sometimes names carry with them loaded connotations that really colors our perception.
DeleteOh, what fun! Poor old vampire squid, being neither!
ReplyDeleteIndeed! Apparently although it's related to the octopus and squid, it has its own classification because of the 2 retractable appendages it has to catch its food and sense the surrounds.
DeleteNot a vampire and not a squid! Poor confused critter!
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun poem about a fascinating creature. What were those scientists thinking when they named it?
ReplyDeleteWho knew that there was a vampire squid. Poetry is a good place to escape the newsfeed.
ReplyDelete