I am selkie

Living in spiritual exile

A selkie

I danced upon your shore

Wore starlight in my hair

Aglow, laughing

Beneath a crescent moon

By vodka and pills

I thought made full

Dawn proved the curse true

Left me ever exiled

My heart pumping

A thin trickle of the sea

Never again of the sea

My home

The One

For you saw me

You saw ME

Wearing not starlight

Reflecting no moon

But a dark shawl 

Of lies and addiction 

And neediness 

Lost and forgetful

Upon your shore

Made by your glimpse

Forever 

One of you

I have died to my race

Made forever

One of you

Reviews

[RomaJ]

The selkie myth works so powerfully here..it becomes a mirror for that sense of spiritual exile, of being caught between two worlds that no longer feel like home.

“My heart pumping, a thin trickle of the sea” It’s such a vivid image of loss, of remembering what once was sacred within.

The transformation from starlight to shadow feels like both a confession and a lament..
You’ve captured what it means to feel human and half-remembering something divine. Profoundly moving.
..Roma

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you Roma, I truly appreciate you reading my work and your always thoughtful commentaries.

[Thomas W Case]

Brilliant use of language to paint this picture.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks, Thomas.

[Davidgeo]

It's fine. A fine poem. Well done.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you, I appreciate your reading it.

[Davidgeo]

It was fine.

[Desert Knave]

The imagery, especially of the first verse, is marvelous. I love the thought of never being able to return , as one can never go home. Anyhow, as always your words are enjoyable to read. ~Jim

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks Jim, I know you will understand when I say this one pretty much wrote itself.

[DIVYA]

The starlight was just an illusion. A transitory glow brought on by drugs and drink. But the reality is far from it. Addiction is a death of self. Its a place of loss, despair and endless pain in relationships. The third verse of the poem said everything to me. Loved how you expressed this.

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thanks for reading. As I said to Chris, my original intent was not to write about addiction, but I started writing and that’s where it took me.

[DIVYA]

Sometimes we just become mediums for the ideas and words to flow through. Its the best thing about writing.

[Chris Shaw]

Selkie, a mythical creature not of this world. Your poem speaks to me of addictions and the curse that alcohol and pills can become. One minute they mimic as a friend and then become the enemy, causing exclusion. These words speak painfully of the traps and hopelessness that addicts can experience. That last stanza made my heart drop. I have loved ones who have been there. Such beautiful poetic expression and imagery for a tragic topic Michael. So very well penned my friend.

Chris

[Michael Sun Bear]

Thank you for reading and reviewing. My original intent was not to write about addiction, but as I wrote it just went there. I was thinking that we are all changelings, we change ourselves to fit with others and often we get stuck there.