This is a story of true devotion, <br />Deep in the Pacific Ocean. <br />In Monterey Bay, <br />Far below seals at play, <br />There waits a true matriarch, <br />One mile down, where its always dark. <br />In water only 3 degrees, <br />Where you or I would freeze, <br />Olga the octopus cares for her brood, <br />Without eating any food. <br />She makes no attempt to grab, <br />Tasty looking shrimp and crab. <br />You have to really respect, <br />How determined she is to protect, <br />The one hundred and sixty eggs, <br />Lying under her eight legs. <br /> <br />At last, after four and a half years, <br />Out hatch her little dears. <br />Olga gave each beating heart, <br />The best possible start. <br />See how large they've managed to grow, <br />In all those years safe from foe, <br />Ready to find their own way, <br />And perhaps come back one day.<br /><br />Stephen Katona<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-mother-s-devotion-2/
