Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Edward Field’s poem "Giant Pacific Octopus" employs surreal imagery and whimsical humor to convey themes of companionship, transformation, and the nature of love. Through the metaphor of a fantastical relationship between the narrator and a Giant Pacific Octopus, Field explores the tender dynamics of intimacy and acceptance, celebrating the beauty of unconventional love.

The poem begins with a simple declaration: “I live with a Giant Pacific Octopus.” This statement establishes a matter-of-fact tone that contrasts with the absurdity of the situation, inviting the reader to suspend disbelief and enter a world where living with an octopus is a natural occurrence. The octopus is immediately portrayed as a companion who “settles himself down beside me on the couch in the evening.”

Field vividly describes the octopus’s many arms, which have different functions. Two of them hold a book, which he reads “with his single eye,” wearing “a pair of glasses over it for reading.” This human-like depiction of the octopus creates an amusing image while giving the creature a relatable quality. Other arms fetch “crackers and cheese spread” from the sideboard, turning the octopus into a conveyor belt that sends back “endless canapés.” These playful details emphasize the octopus’s versatility and its ability to multitask.

Amid these humorous descriptions, Field introduces the element of sensuality. One of the octopus’s arms “gropes me lightly,” creating a sensation “like a breeze on my balls.” Other arms slip “around my body under my clothes,” one even finding its way “down the crack of my ass.” This blending of humor and eroticism paints a vivid picture of the octopus’s affectionate nature.

As the narrator is drawn into the octopus’s embrace, he discovers “his hot mouth waits for kisses,” and he reciprocates by kissing the octopus, transforming him “into a boy / as all Giant Pacific Octopuses are really / when you take them into your arms.” This transformation reveals a deeper emotional connection between the narrator and the octopus, emphasizing that love can transcend physical forms. The octopus’s many arms “fluttering around you” become sensations of pleasure, illustrating the overwhelming and all-encompassing nature of intimacy.

The narrator affectionately describes the octopus as having “the body of a Greek god” and lovingly calls him “my Giant Pacific Octopus boychik.” The Yiddish term "boychik" adds a touch of endearment, emphasizing the narrator’s affection and the personal nature of their relationship. The octopus, once huddled miserably on a rock in the aquarium, ignoring the crabs, has now found a loving home. The narrator acknowledges that “you take home a creature like that, who needs love,” and that despite initially being “a mess,” the octopus can “open up like a flower with petal arms waving around.”

Field concludes the poem with a reflection on the impermanence of relationships. Although the octopus is “collapsible… like a big toy,” the narrator finds joy in having him around, “for as long as he will stay, one night or a lifetime.” The phrase “for as long as god will let you have him” introduces a sense of gratitude and acceptance, emphasizing that love is valuable regardless of its duration.

Structurally, the poem is written in free verse, allowing Field to maintain a conversational and fluid tone that enhances the whimsical and intimate atmosphere. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter mirrors the organic nature of the relationship between the narrator and the octopus.

In summary, "Giant Pacific Octopus" is a celebration of unconventional love and intimacy. Edward Field masterfully blends humor, sensuality, and surreal imagery to create a narrative that explores the transformative power of companionship and the joy of loving fully, even in the face of impermanence. The poem serves as a reminder that love is found in unexpected places and that embracing the unusual can lead to profound connections.

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