Seal Song

"Selkie of the Sea" Brian C. Hailes

SEAL SONG

squaring off in the kitchen

between the he and she

it was over 

                          

                               dishes piled high and precarious on plastic, garbled countertop

the dinner        -       menu 'd out

it was how he held the toothpaste and

something         -        about something        -        or

                                

                                      OTHER 

the other being in "can't speak"

her real, seal skin

her real selkie, soft; smooth grey and onyx marine

purring as the welcome warm currents  of         

she

she cuts water with fish whispers and whale moaning deeps

her coral is now and

he is no more and

she would breath under the salt and water

E.

03/10/2023

Author's Note

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

Based on my interpretation of the poem, I believe that it is exploring the ways in which small issues and misunderstandings can escalate into larger conflicts in relationships. The imagery of the piled-up dishes and the garbled countertop suggests a sense of chaos and disorder, while the focus on the way the man holds the toothpaste and the other unknown issue highlights how even the smallest things can become sources of conflict. The reference to the "other being in 'can't speak'" suggests that there may be underlying issues or emotions that are not being expressed or communicated effectively. The description of the woman's seal skin and the warm currents could be interpreted as a metaphor for her inner emotional state, which is in contrast to the conflict and chaos of the kitchen. Overall, I found the poem to be a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the ways in which small issues can escalate into larger conflicts. The vivid imagery and poetic language used by you created a deeply immersive experience that draws the reader in and leaves them feeling both moved and inspired.

[Einstein Noodle]

oh my goodness Mr. B!! what an insightful and thorough review you have given this .. so thoughtful and i appreciate very much the time you took to put these pieces together .. you are spot on in my intention sir .. thank you so very much!
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Greetings dear Mr E. There is trouble in the kitchen. Relationships eh? And it can be triggered by something really petty and snowball into an avalanche of real hostility. What a contrast between soft and silkie and what has taken place here. Your poem is open to interpretation. I love poetry that allows the reader to wander. Have a lovely weekend, sending warm wishes across the pond.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

:))))))))))))))))))) what a great review Ms. Chris! thanks so much for spending time .. yes .. lots of interpretations allowed ;)))))))) peace and love my friend
E.

[Patricia Wedel]

After watching the Video... I have a different perspective... haunting and
lonely when not near the Shore... perhaps Mermaids dreaming of a way to fly..
softly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

Selkie are women embodied in seals .. they come ashore and shed their fur to take on human form .. here is more if you are interested https://www.wildernessireland.com/blog/irish-myths-legends-part-4-selkies/

[Patricia Wedel]

dear Gene... Seals are playful and full of Mirth...
they can bounce a Ball with their Nose, and speak to you in a language
known by a select few. softly, Pat

[Einstein Noodle]

your reviews always lead me to more imaginations .. thanks as always for taking time Pat ... and thank you for listening to the video as well .. i liked it a lot for this poem ;)
E.

[Ken e Bujold]

:)) laughing because of only god knows how many of these salt and water nights I have experienced. Your voice is spot on.

ken

[Einstein Noodle]

:) ... we either sink or swim eh!?? thanks for taking time here Ken! i appreciate it
E.

[Lisasview]

Wow, this really feels way different from anything I have read of yours.
Your use of metaphors is fabulous. Each of us that reads this will have a different take...I can think of several as I ponder your words and type slowly with my left finger as I broke my clavicle on my right side...Lets see.. from an angry fight to the sea...quite interesting...and only one idea... Your format made the fight quite bitter...angry...like most ugly fights are...being true to oneself...probably one of the hardest things to do...Reading it again for the 5th time I see that this could also be about death...the end of life as we know..
Lisa, in sunny Spain

[Einstein Noodle]

you are such a blessing my friend .. yes! wide open to interpretations .. i think even the strictest of forms are like that as well but especially abstract free forms ... love you review .. wishing you speedy recovery and God bless you for persevering with your one finger ... so glad you are here ... at the Café'
E.

[W. Barrett Munn]

A legitimate question: how and why did you choose to format this way? Thanks.

Winston

[Einstein Noodle]

it's just the way i write Sir Munn ... it's just "my voice" ... i do forms when everything else runs dry .. thank you for reading .. i hope you see something in it that fits for you .. peace and joy
E.

[W. Barrett Munn]

Thank you for answering my question.

Winston

[Einstein Noodle]

any time Winston ... respect sir! :)

[Sami Khalil]

One of your best sir Gene! The message, the formatting, the wording- all wonderful.
I think you must took this from your sea duties or sea travels; either way I enjoyed the power struggle between the sexes, the luring, the deceptions, the controls, the duties, the parting away through death or separation.
Enjoy spring, sir.

[Einstein Noodle]

you have lifted me ol' heart and soul, Sami! thank you for the sensitive reading you gave this .. best of the Spring to you my friend!
E.

[Sami Khalil]

Yes siiiirrrrr. You are welcome 😊. Enjoy those marvelous mountains

[Einstein Noodle]

thanks Sami .. i surely am ... wishing the best for you sir.

[Sami Khalil]

Same here. You are welcome sir Einstein!

[Temperance]

Those darn mermaids can't stay on land forever and....they can be very mean....or, so I've heard. The transition from a kitchen with dirty dishes to the water is interesting. As you know, I'm more literal than imaginative. So, they argued and she took off to surroundings she finds much more comforting. There ya go and, good for her. :) You can tell I really got this one. Hahaha! Keep it up. Temp

[Einstein Noodle]

i love the linear and literal reviews .. it keeps my grounded and welcoming :) yes .. trival things can drive couples apart .. this gal has found her real "skin" and made it back to her roots .. so to speak .. good to see you 'round the Café', Temp! thank you so much for taking time to read and review
E.

[Lorry]

This is haunting and hauntingly beautiful Sir Noodle. As they say in these parts, it would bring a tear to a glass eye.
If my thinking is correct, this (the song) is about moving from here to there (life and death) and I vaguely recall the seal of the title is our transformation to that other land, although I sort of recall it being about the women or only they can transform.
When put with your words it takes on a similar meaning, although the "he is no more" I perhaps misread as he is no more because she is gone, but apologies if reading into that. It is after all only a Monday, which come to think of it may well just be my own perfect epitaph.
Hope you are well my friend and apologies for my tardiness. I'm still not getting updates on most writes and have to look for them manually. I know! And in this day and age too! How frightfully dickensian! 😊

[Einstein Noodle]

Thanks for taking time always, Lorry! yes .. he is no more and she is gone .. no longer captive .. the selkie who goes to shore hides her seal skin ... if a man finds and keeps it she is his forevermore, unless she can get it back ;) so what you see is perfect no matter my friend ... as long as you make it yours ;)
Love and joy always
E.

[AYVID N]

The imagery in this poem is superb.

"she cuts water with fish whispers and whale moaning deeps"

I enjoyed the words and the myriad of possibilities they built up. Thought of couples in a kitchen, near a sea and underwater. There was a sense of breaking and tears...

[Einstein Noodle]

Good Morning D! i especially appreciate knowing any certain lines and phrases that speak to you ... thank you for taking the plunge and enjoying the seaside with me.

[AYVID N]

It was such an absolute pleasure, dear E. I hope you have a fine day and week, my dear friend. Stay well and safe.