Otto and Octavius at Christmas
Mother and Father Octopus,
And Otto and Octavius,
A cephalopodic family,
Live in the Sargasso Sea.
It’s an ordinary place
With a routine, steady pace.
Dad said, when came winter break,
“A vacation we should take!
It would be a doldrum-cure.
I looked into a brochure
Of some spots, and have the notion
To see the Pacific Ocean.
“Cross a thirty-two-mile band
Of the Panamanian land.
Once you’re over that divide
Pacific’s on the other side!”
So they packed up what they needed
And southwesterly proceeded.
Twelve a.m. the four arrived,
All refreshed and all revived.
Stars and Milky Way up high
Twinkled in an ink-black sky.
Octavius and Otto, under
The expanse, felt awe and wonder.
Also up above the four
Flew a sleigh whose cargo bore
All the gifts you could envision
On its yearly Yuletide mission.
Brimming high the toys were piled.
Santa’s elf was steering wild.
Candy canes and mincemeat pie
Had him on a sugar high.
Over-cookied and -eggnoged,
With his judgment all befogged,
“Woo!” he yelled. “Let’s go from zero
To light-speed! I’m such a hero!
Santa, hold on to your beard!”
Much too sharp the reindeer veered.
Centrifugally the toys ejected.
(Not entirely unexpected.)
Mom clucked, “Looks like that elf eats
Far too many sweets and treats!”
How could anyone corral
All the toys from the canal
With its hundred-foot-wide locks
And no one on the loading docks!
Seeing this, our good Saint Nick
Retook charge—and did it quick.
“Rudolph! Comet! Shine a light,
Find the toys on this dark night.
Cupid! Donner! Blitz! Put back
All the stuff once in the sack.
Dasher! Dancer! Prancer! Vixen!
Take the broken ones and fix ‘em.
Elf, pitch in and help them, too,
And no more sugarplums for you!”
Then what does Santa Claus espy
From the corner of his eye,
But octo-arms a-waving high!
It’s Otto and Octavius!
“Santa, you can count on us!
We will get the toys amassed!”
Sixteen arms did gather fast.
Sixteen tentacles did pull,
Lift, and load the carriage full,
And once they got the gifts on board,
Tied them down with kelpic cord.
“Thank you, Boys,” pleased Santa said,
“And now, before you go to bed,
Otto and Octavius,
Here are games from all of us.
Hope you folks have a terrific
Holiday in the Pacific.”
“Thanks, Saint Nick! And you have fun
On your annual Christmas run!”
Santa got back in his sleigh.
Magically it flew away,
And as it did, they heard him call,
“Peace on Earth and joy to all!”
Now from the Panamanian Isthmus
We wish you a Merry Christmas.
May the message of this night
Fill your heart with hope and light.
Love, Mom and Daddy Octopus,
And Otto and Octavius.
Mary Gardner is a poet living in Florida.
Fascinating and imaginative story for Christmas. This is better than the SpongeBob SquarePants movies. Your words not only embody the spirit of giving, but echo and reverberate with oceanic references like “cephalopodic.” This was fun to read and could become a classic.
Thanks so much, Roy! I’m happy you enjoyed it. Merry Christmas!
That’s the most adorable Christmas poem I believe I have ever had the pleasure to read. I love the octopus family perspective and the fast paced action narrative of this adventurous tale. Otto and Octavius are highly likable characters and though I ordinarily have no interest in Santa stories, this one flows well. Great job! Merry Christmas to all.
Thank you, Yael! I’m delighted that you like it. Merry Christmas!
Hurray! What a delightful story!
This week I was in a used bookstore lamenting at the trash they use for children’s books. Between the poor writing and obvious agendas, I browsed with dismay.
I hope to find your poem in a book in a bookstore someday. It would be one I would be very happy to read to my grandchildren.
Merry Christmas!
Gigi, thank you for the kind words. I am very happy that you enjoyed the poem.
You are spot on about the content of children’s books. My main disappointment is the dumbing-down of vocabulary.
What is Christmas without a helping of Otto-and-Octavius fun. Thank you, Mary, for this Christmas smile of a poem!
Susan, thank you for the praise. I am pleased to have brought a smile at Christmastime.
What a strange coincidence. A month ago I wrote a poem about the Sargasso Sea, I’ve just finished The Old Man and the Sea, where the Sargasso Sea gets a lot of mentions, and now your poem, Margaret, where the Sargasso Sea is central.
I’d love to see this illustrated, as a children’s book. A modern day classic to rival ‘The Night Before Christmas’, perhaps.
Some great rhymes in here (Isthmus and Christmas come to mind), and images, too (kelpic cord!).
Thanks for the fun read.
Paul, thank you so much for your kind comments about this poem. I am happy you liked it.
Enjoyed it also, Mary, as an adult. Octopuses are
quite in style now. Recently I saw a video by a young
man who taught one to play the piano. It took him a long
time. I, too, think your poem would make a lovely children’s
Christmas book.
Thank you, jd. I am delighted that you enjoyed the poem.
A delightful poem, written with great imagination. Well done, Mary!
Thanks, Margaret! Your praise means a lot. I love bringing a smile to people.
Your poem makes a wonderful contribution for Christmas, Mary, especially because it warms hearts to hear of Otto and Octavius saving the day with their own quick, unique, capable, and willing contributions. A Merry Christmas to you as the season goes on!
Thank you for the kind words, Margaret. I am happy that you liked the poem. It was fun to write.
A Merry Christmas and Happy 2026 to you!