Receiving Notes from Mythical Women IX: Selkies
My poem this morning, from the lovely Morning and Other Stories…
Today’s Note from a Mythical Woman comes from under the sea from the Selkies, and is sent in by Sara Grady.
Sara lives in Scotland, where she writes the brilliant blog Que Sera, Sara? You can buy a book with one of her short stories in it (go on!) here.
Selkies/Sirens
when tempests catch in your throat
and your skin is knit too tight.
sister, remember.
Salt-sweet songs gnash
‘tween your silken threads
Unravel thy self.
Recognise the tide for what it is.
The witching hour approaches
From the secret shelf
unearth the ribbon’d box;
on the dusty floorboards
spread mercurial moonlight
unfurl the cool waters of welcome, and
slip silver nightsong over your head.
Alone you are called to the sea
Can you bark at the night and know God?
Que Sera Sara? 