For Day Twenty-one of Paul Brookes’ Special January Ekphrastic Challenge, I’ve responded to two images below.
The Selkie and her Daughter
In my dreams, you’ve returned to me,
from flowered bands and gold-sun sand
to swim beneath the cold blue sea–
daughter mine, away from land
we’ll swim beneath the seaweed blooms
and leap with spindrift from the waves–
we’ll slither into sea-ship tombs
and flitter through the Fish Queen’s caves.
Gone now, the peacock’s feathered plumes,
gone butterflies, and human arms
enclosed in sleeves inside of rooms–
farewell to cities, towns, and farms.
In sea-light, there’d be no regret–
the tide has always pulled you
from the world above, you’d soon forget
the birds and trees in deep-sea blue.
I wake to the reality—
I’m in water, you’re on land,
and I no longer have a hand
with which to hold yours. But I long to see
your face, your smile, your bony knees
And what will happen, what will be?
I’ll send you songs in an ocean breeze—
hear them and remember me.
Ah, lovely! Exactly the right form for the subject. I think I remember this image of Kerfe’s. It’s a good one.
Thank you! Kind of Oracle-like, it demanded a ballad. 😀
And you gave it a lovely one.
💙
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
I love the dreamy quality of this poem. So many great lines!
Thank you so much, Charlotte. I love the selkie tales, so I wanted to do it justice.
You definitely did the selkie justice!
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
“I’ll send you songs in an ocean breeze.” Such a beautiful imagine, Merril.
Thank you so much, Jill! 💙
You really captured my own feelings about this painting.. (K)
That is high praise indeed–and wonderful to hear. Thank you so much, Kerfe!
This reminds me of some of the ballads my dad read to me when I was very little. A perfect one to read aloud.
Thank you so much, Liz. I think I first learned about selkies from listening to folk songs–maybe the Gene Shay show on the radio.
You’re welcome, Merril. I think I first learned about selkies from Rebecca Budd’s “Tea, Toast & Trivia” podcast.
There’s a Child Ballad about Selkies. Joan Baez did a version.
I just listened to the Joan Baez version. Thank you for the suggestion.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It does read like a ballad! Lovely…
Thank you very much!
You know it!
The silky, sinuous, swimming selkie so well evoked
Thank you so much, Derrick. 😀