For Day Twenty-one of Paul Brookes’ Special January Ekphrastic Challenge, I’ve responded to two images below.
-Kerfe Roig, “Selkie’s Daughter” 
-Christine O’Connor
The Selkie and her Daughter
In my dreams, you’ve returned to me,
from flowered bands and gold-sun sand
to swim beneath the cold blue sea–
daughter mine, away from land
we’ll swim beneath the seaweed blooms
and leap with spindrift from the waves–
we’ll slither into sea-ship tombs
and flitter through the Fish Queen’s caves.
Gone now, the peacock’s feathered plumes,
gone butterflies, and human arms
enclosed in sleeves inside of rooms–
farewell to cities, towns, and farms.
In sea-light, there’d be no regret–
the tide has always pulled you
from the world above, you’d soon forget
the birds and trees in deep-sea blue.
I wake to the reality—
I’m in water, you’re on land,
and I no longer have a hand
with which to hold yours. But I long to see
your face, your smile, your bony knees
And what will happen, what will be?
I’ll send you songs in an ocean breeze—
hear them and remember me.
I’m sharing this with Open Link Night on dVerse.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
Ah, lovely! Exactly the right form for the subject. I think I remember this image of Kerfe’s. It’s a good one.
Thank you! Kind of Oracle-like, it demanded a ballad. 😀
And you gave it a lovely one.
💙
Reblogged this on The Wombwell Rainbow.
I love the dreamy quality of this poem. So many great lines!
Thank you so much, Charlotte. I love the selkie tales, so I wanted to do it justice.
You definitely did the selkie justice!
Thank you so much!
You’re welcome!
“I’ll send you songs in an ocean breeze.” Such a beautiful imagine, Merril.
Thank you so much, Jill! 💙
You really captured my own feelings about this painting.. (K)
That is high praise indeed–and wonderful to hear. Thank you so much, Kerfe!
This reminds me of some of the ballads my dad read to me when I was very little. A perfect one to read aloud.
Thank you so much, Liz. I think I first learned about selkies from listening to folk songs–maybe the Gene Shay show on the radio.
You’re welcome, Merril. I think I first learned about selkies from Rebecca Budd’s “Tea, Toast & Trivia” podcast.
There’s a Child Ballad about Selkies. Joan Baez did a version.
I just listened to the Joan Baez version. Thank you for the suggestion.
You’re welcome. I’m glad you enjoyed it.
It does read like a ballad! Lovely…
Thank you very much!
You know it!
The silky, sinuous, swimming selkie so well evoked
Thank you so much, Derrick. 😀
Beautiful rhythm and interpretation of the pieces, Merril. Love the sentiment and the hopeful bittersweet last stanza ❤
Thank you very much!
This is so beautiful, surreal with dream-like elements. How heartfelt and heartbreaking at the end—two different places, now only memories will remain. So beautifully expressed, Merril, I am always in awe and in wonder at your writing. ❤ ❤
Aww–Lucy such a kind and generous comment. Thank you so much! 💙
I can’t imagine the pain of being parted from a child.
Tis’ fantasy and myth at its finest, a stroll, a swim into the deep, where light is sparse and legends still survive. Thanks for the trip.
That’s lovely! Thank you, Glenn!
Thanks for sharing (&reading) this awesome work, Merril. Dug it majorly.
Thank you, Ron.! 😀
I can’t imagine being so torn between worlds, states maybe. You make the sea life inviting.
Thank you! I can’t imagine it either.
Love, love this especially; “In sea-light, there’d be no regret–tide has always pulled you from the world above, you’d soon forget birds and trees in deep-sea blue.” Exquisitely woven 💝💝💝
Aww–thank you so much, dear Sanaa! ❤️
I enjoyed hearing you read your great poem today on the live stream!
Thank you so much, Dwight!
You are welcome!
This stands out for me with the sea side of the story, rather than the view from one who is land bound.
Thank you very much, Ken. Yes, it’s definitely told from the sea side perspective.
a well told tale, enjoyed it very much
Thank you very much!
Mesmerizing, this reverse enchantment. The bond is there no matter where each reside. Very wonderful rhythm and mood to it.
Thank you so much, Lisa!
You’re most welcome, Merril.
I love the haunting lyricism of this poem, Merril – it was a pleasure to hear you read!
Thank you very much, Ingrid!
Delightful. The sea weaves in this blue swashing rhythm and rhyme and you voiced it so well. A writer once said once that wave has smashed through you, you are ever half of the sea, a selkie in song.
Thank you so much, Brendan! 🌊
Gonna need to set this one to music!
Aww–thank you!
Love the rhythm and the dream like quality! Absolutely beautiful, Merril.
Thank you so much! 💙
My pleasure. 💙
I really love how you expanded on the selkie myth here… the topic of working from myth is always a great choice.
Thank you very much, Björn! I do enjoy myths.
You have interpreted the images in such a divine way! Such longing in that last stanza!
Thank you so much, Tricia!