The octopus and I

met quite by accident

as a rock appeared to have more to it

than a rock

so I paused and looked and saw that reddish knob

move

ever so slightly.

I knew her intent was that I should not see her

atop that rock

in daylight

in open water

for she maintained her imitation

of an outcrop

of a rock

most persistently

and I believe as her eye saw

the recognition

in my eye

she sensed danger

so I considered her predicament

and hovered away

ever so slightly

in my way to say to the octopus

“I am no predator.”

to which she responded

by stretching out her arms

and gliding away

slowly

beneath my gaze

in open water

in daylight

from her hiding place

atop that rock.