DAY 5 of Poetry Week... A little nonsense...this poem was part of a workshop assignment based on "Questions People Actually Ask On Google"...

                        CAN AN OCTOPUS BE KEPT IN A PRIVATE HOME?

                                (From the series of “Often-Asked Questions”)

So often people ask this,

And the answer is complicated.

Much of it depends upon whose private home the octopus is considering.

Also, during what time period is the move being contemplated?

There was a time, ever so brief, 

during the evolutionary progress of the octopus,

when it leaned toward becoming an Octoped...

when it aspired to live on land.

Evolutionary aspirations do not always manifest, but during this time,

the Octoped most certainly could have lived in a private home, if invited.

However, the pitter-pat of eight little peds tromping around the house late at night--

Octopeds were also nocturnal at that point in their evolution-- 

would have required extraordinary patience on the part of its host/hostess.

The experience might have been short-lived.

In that situation, the question would become "Is it possible to keep a host/hostess

in a private home if an Octoped were to move in?"

But as time passed and creatures evolved, 

the Octopus developed as we know it today.

If the private home were underwater, or portions of the home were thus,

the Octopus could be "kept" in a private home, if arrangements had been worked out that

were agreeable to both the host/hostess and to the Octopus.

If the host/hostess was attracted to the Octopus, and vice versa, 

arrangements could have been made, as they have been made over time.

If the Octopus was the more secure financially, 

the host/hostess might have been "kept" 

by the Octopus. 

A relationship is like making soup

 Everyone puts in what ingredients they can offer, and it simmers till done, 

or until it bubbles up over the edge and 

obliterates the flame beneath the pot.)

These things are difficult to predict, 

and depend entirely upon the upbringing, 

or sometimes the religious beliefs, 

of the parties involved.

We have finally learned not to judge relationships, 

but to respect and trust them.

So yes, of course, it is possible to keep an Octopus in a private home, 

as long as everyone agrees 

not to put any part of the Octopus itself

into the soup kettle.

© 2019 Sally Stevens