A Prophet for the Sea – Audio-Poems

The A Prophet for the Sea is a series of three audio-poems are taken from Octopus Medicine a collection of verse-stories written by poet and performer Becci Louise. They tell a story in three parts taking us from birth to a final epiphany, as we learn how a young octopus goes on an unexpected journey to discover its true potential. These stories explore themes that should resonate with us all. They explore our relationship to the marine environment and question the way in which humankind casts nature as monstrous at a time when our impact on the planet is increasingly threatening our own existence.

I. An Octopus Mother’s Last Prayer for Her Hatchling (2’13”) – Deep in a coral reef, guarding her eggs, an old octopus mother relays her dying advice to her babies. They will face danger everywhere.

II. An Octopus Garden (3’42”) – A baby octopus explores his world, building a garden outside his lair. But what are these strange objects falling from above? And who are the creatures that made them?

III. Beach Octopus (19’20”) – Nearly an adult, the octopus discovers the shore and wants to become human. But it turns out learning to be human and learning to be a monster aren’t so different.

The audio-poems are available via our Podbean channel.

Written and performed by: Beccy Louise
Recording, composing, and sound design: Simon Sinfield
Producer: Paul Stevens
Executive producer: Roy Hanney

A PORTSMOUTH BOOKFEST 2022 EVENT

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Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and the kind support of Portsmouth Library Service.

Photo by Kaitlyn Robbinson