In case you’ve not noticed, I have been taking every opportunity to get into the water and snorkel. In spite of my great love of the beach and of swimming, until last year, I had never been snorkelling, and so it is a fresh, exciting hobby.
This week, I got up early and went for a pre-work dip at Omeo Wreck, one of my favourite spots. Great for a beginner like me, but also always something new. I spotted a spotted leatherjacket and followed it for a while. When it stopped under a little arch of wreckage, I took the opportunity to practice my new diving skills, took a breath, aimed my gopro and swam down.
I knew I had the fish in shot, but it wasn’t till later, at home, that I was able to check it. I then took a still shot from the footage, and shared it with friends on facebook. I’m glad I did – because a friend pointed out something I had missed. I wonder if you can see it in the moving footage – which is the view I had in the water:
Did you spot it? The photobombing lurker? If not, don’t feel bad – because I didn’t see it either.
Here’s the still shot:
copyright Sally Murphy, 2021
If you still can’t see it, look at the sand on the right. Sand with eyes? And a sinister grin?
Now I don’t know if Mr Flathead was thinking of eating Ms Leatherjacket for dinner, and I can reassure you that when I left, the leatherjacket was still very happily swimming around, but I knew there was a poem in this.
Welcome
Come right in!
Come right in!
You’ll feel welcomed
By my friendly grin.
Can’t see my smile?
You soon will
When I open wide
To let you in!
(Poem copyright Sally Murphy, 2021)
Not to be outdone, my follow-up trip the next morning proved to be even more amazing, though I have not yet captured the poems for this breathtaking octopus encounter:
At the end of this video, you might sense that, while awestruck by the octopus, I was being increasingly aware of what was happening behind it. I spent the next 15 minutes floating and wondering and nearly crying with the joy of this:
I’ve been trying ever since to find the words to capture these amazing moments, so watch this space.
In the meantime, today’s Poetry Friday has lots of Poetry Goodness. Swim over to Heidi’s blog where, she is not only hosting the roundup but also all the Poetry Friday posts but also celebrating her birthday.
Your friend has a good eye! If I were prey, I would have missed that smiling predator altogether (although, as you note, it might not miss me!). Love your new hobby!
What a sweet little guy he is, swimming around that canon/gun (?). You are far braver than I, Sally. Bravo! And poor Ms. Leatherjacket!
Thanks for visiting, Christie. The octopus’ lair is a replica cannon on a snorkel trail. The octopus must have thought that hole was just right for him!
Wow! Thanks for sharing your undersea adventures. That octopus was amazing, and the fish swarm. I did not see your grinning flathead until you pointed it out and zoomed in on the photo. Your poem is such fun! I can’t wait to read more from under the sea.
Thank you Kay. I love getting to share in this way.
Drama always has a poem inside, doesn’t it? This made me think of my poem, “Come In, Come In,” from a now oop book called Fuzzy-Fast Blur: Poems About Pets. I had to write it to an image of a snake eating a mouse. It’s at https://laurasalas.com/poems-for-kids/a-fuzzy-fast-blur-poems-about-pets/ if you scroll down to the poem in red.
Oh Laura, yes I can see the similarity. We must think on similar lines 🙂
Just amazing, Sally! Thank you so much for letting us join in your adventures!
You are welcome Ruth. Thank you for coming by to share 🙂
I didn’t see that little flathead, the star of your wicked poem. And that little octopus was astounding coming out of the little cubby it was in. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience.
You are welcome Janice. Thanks for dropping in!
Under the sea is a whole world we never see. Thanks for the glimpse and your snarky poem. I didn’t see the smile in the sand until you pointed it out!
Ohhhhhh myyyyyy…you are reminding me that one of the peak experiences of my life was snorkeling at Cairns in 1995. That little (how little?) octopus is something! And the swarm! How lucky are you to have this “hobby” to feed your writing!
Thank you Heidi. Cairns is on my wish list – in fact anywhere near the Great Barrier Reef.
Ha ha ha ha! I did not see Mr. Flathead. Oh, he’s a sneaky one. What a wonderful new hobby. I always feel like I’ve had a nice tiny holiday when I visit this blog. Great poem, Sally!
Oh what fun Sally, your a true, undersea–poet, explorer extraordinaire!!! What fascinating footage you captured–the school of many fish is amazing. And I guess we’ll never know the fate of Ms Leatherjacket–but I love the poem that swam out from your encounter, and I’m looking forward to more!
Thanks Michelle. I’m hoping Ms Leatherjacket was a bit tough for flathead’s taste 🙂
I didn’t spot that sly hidden one until the still shot, Sally, amazing lurker! But the octopus is marvelous to see and I did notice the school of fish behind that showed up, too. Woo hoo, love your snorkel discoveries! These poems are going to be fun, title picked! “You’ll feel welcomed/By my friendly grin.” Keep on sharing!
Thanks Linda. I’m glad my sharing is so appreciated!