POETRY

Cuttlefish Bones

Free verse poetry response to Trisha Traughber’s writing and living prompt

At this time of continually changing Raining season weather Churning sea waters throw up all kinds Of debris onto this beach of shifting sands. I walk among cuttlebones Laid out all around me on soft golden sand. Miniature surfboards for hermit crabs to have their fun, Until they become hungry and start to eat them that is.

It’s funny watching hermit crabs trying To balance on their surfboards with their Cumbersome shells, they can never stay on And always fall off in spectacular fashion!

I pick up cuttlebones to decorate, Nothing goes to waste around here.

This bone is now all that’s left of this most Fascinating creature, one of the most intelligent Of invertebrates, squirting its ink when caught off guard, Ink used to write an array of poems past! Disguising itself with an array of beautiful Ever-changing camouflage colours. Maybe these bones are its final clever disguise.

I lay out the cuttlebones in between The hammocks on a brown painted wall In sunray fashion catching glances from those who walk by.

It amuses me to see an inquisitive ponder As the brain tries to work out what the eyes can see. The bright sun's reflection sent back from my artwork, ha! In my homemade sunrays from cuttlefish bones.

Thank you Trisha Traughber for this “writing and living prompt” and for giving my words a platform here at Vagabond voices… Thank you all for reading and your precious time. J.