The Legend of the Selkie

The Legend of the Selkie

The land was calling
He could hear it
beckoning to his soul
Come, come it cried
Over and over
Echoing through the shoal
 
He followed the sounds
through the waters deep
until the beach he found
Where he shed his sealskin
taking on human form
and laid there on the ground
 
Breathless, resting on the sand
Looking skyward to the sun
Feeling the warmth of the glow
A shadow crossed his eyes
and he did see an outline
of a beautiful female torso
 
As he struggled to get up
the girl held out her hand
“Come with me”, she said
Mesmerized he complied
“You and I belong together
and we will surely wed”
 
He hid away his Selkie skin
in a place so secret
no one would ever look
He lived happily in human form
with his beautiful bride but
curiosity is all it took
 
She found his sealskin
one fateful day
in its hiding place
The legend came true
He did leave her there, alone
with her own good grace
 
The sea called him back
to where he did belong
leaving her broken-hearted
The Selkie returned
from whence he came
to the ocean uncharted
 
 
Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing ©

Anmol is hosting DVerse Poets and has prompted us write about
myths or legends that we remember from childhood.

Click the link below for more information on the Selkie legend
The Secret History of the Hidden Selkie
 
National Poetry Writing Month
NaPoWriMo - April 24 - Day 24
Today's prompt - Today’s (optional) prompt is to write a poem that,
like “Dictionary Illustrations,” is inspired by a reference book. 

  23 comments for “The Legend of the Selkie

  1. April 25, 2019 at 2:28 pm

    I have heard this selkies are not to be trusted. Fine write Christine…

    • Christine Bolton
      April 25, 2019 at 2:49 pm

      Definitely not!! Thanks Rob 🙂

  2. April 25, 2019 at 7:40 am

    Therianthropy! this is awesome Christine.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 25, 2019 at 8:35 am

      Thanks Paul. I wasn’t aware of the term for the animal taking human form! The folklore is fascinating though and looking at the history of it you can see how these legends evolve. Thanks for reading 🙂

  3. April 25, 2019 at 5:23 am

    Ah, this is poignant — I wonder why curiosity often leads to endings like these in our myths and legends. Very well penned! 🙂

    • Christine Bolton
      April 25, 2019 at 8:37 am

      Thank you Anmol. Yes, I think it happens in real life too. Somethings are maybe best unknown 😔

  4. April 24, 2019 at 10:36 pm

    Beautiful tale so wonderfully told! 💞🙂

    • Christine Bolton
      April 25, 2019 at 8:41 am

      Thank you dear Punam 🙂💕

      • April 25, 2019 at 2:26 pm

        My pleasure! 💞🙂

  5. Bev
    April 24, 2019 at 9:30 pm

    Darned spell check changed selKie to selfie

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      It kept doing that to me too Bev! 🤣

  6. Bev
    April 24, 2019 at 9:27 pm

    Of course I’m writing selKie and spell check is changing it to selfie!

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 10:05 pm

      LOL! 😂

  7. April 24, 2019 at 9:23 pm

    I love the selfie stories! This is the first time I’ve heard of a male selfie. I enjoyed your write.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 10:07 pm

      It’s funny, I wrote if from a man’s perspective and then I had trouble finding a picture of one. As you say they were mostly females. Thanks for your comments Bev 💕🙂

  8. April 24, 2019 at 6:28 pm

    this is poetic and tragic. to find love and that love destroy itself through cheap curiosity and lack of faith. I love your retelling of this legend. such sadness, but the ocean welcomes him back. wonder if he would have a second chance?

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 7:29 pm

      Thanks you my friend. What a good thought Gina. Maybe he would get one. 🙂💕

      • April 24, 2019 at 7:30 pm

        i am ever hopeful and optimistic for true and genuine love to rescue!! wonderful poem Christine!

      • Christine Bolton
        April 24, 2019 at 7:39 pm

        Thank you Gina❤️ I love fairy tales too 🙂

  9. April 24, 2019 at 4:43 pm

    🙂

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 5:06 pm

      🙂

  10. April 24, 2019 at 4:34 pm

    Unique poetic fable. Love it.

    • Christine Bolton
      April 24, 2019 at 5:03 pm

      Thanks so much Mark 🙂

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