Summary
The poem "Selchie" expresses the speaker's longing for their true home, the sea, and their struggle to belong in the human world.
Abstract
The poem "Selchie" by Yael Wolfe explores the theme of belonging and identity. The speaker, who is a selchie, a mythical creature that is a seal in the water and human on land, expresses their longing for their true home, the sea, and their struggle to belong in the human world. The poem conveys the speaker's desire to be known and understood, but also their fear of being touched and loved by humans. The final line of the poem suggests that only the sea can truly know the speaker, highlighting the importance of their true identity.
Opinions
Though I walk on dry land, I do not belong here and I never have. I am from the blind, black sea and only know my sisters.
I want to know this world. I do. But it wants something else of me or maybe nothing at all.
I am wanted. Yes, I am wanted. Yes, I am wanted.
But I was not made to be touched. I was not made to be loved.
Only the sea can know me.
© Yael Wolfe 2020
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