The octopus is dead
who lived in Wylies Baths
below the circus balustrade
and the chocked sea tiles.

Old legerdemain of eight
died of too much chlorine
applied to purify the amenities
of urine and algal slippage.

Favourite of chivvying children
the one who could conform
its elastics with any current
or hang from its cupped feet

now lies, slop biltong
beak and extinct pasta
out in the throwaway tide
and will leave with the wobbegong.