The Legend of the Selkie

Posted byChristine BoltonPosted inBlog, MysteryTags:, , ,

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. 

Published by Christine Bolton

I have been writing poetry since I was a child and it has helped in the good times and bad times. I am always looking within to find the answers to life's problems and to write thought-provoking poetry and prose. Thanks for checking it out. Christine

23 thoughts on “The Legend of the Selkie”

  3. 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?

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    1. 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 💕🙂

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

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    1. 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 🙂

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