The seal people

I had come to see the gray seals (Halichoerus grypus; Figure 1) that live along coast of Pembrokeshire in far west Wales, and was not disappointed. A wild, windblown seascape with steep cliffs, small islands, coves inaccessible by land, it is home dolphins, porpoises, an extensive cast seabirds, some 5000 seals. Tiny stone cottages belonged people who made a living long ago taking rowboats onto unforgiving ocean still stand, tucked away at heads rocky inlets, testimony lonely existence. Their ancient inhabitants were more likely have seen seal than stranger – same lot as other coastal peoples once lived similar existence from Scotland Iceland, Faroe Islands Norway. This no doubt helps explain why folklore all these lands speaks when on land remove their skins become (nearly always) beautiful young people. The stories surrounding them, however, abound metaphors poor human (particularly male) behavior, ensuing tragedy, inescapable loss. Now, having been close enough swimming almost touch it, begun understand why. last goodbye. C Hollingsworth (CC BY 2.0) story above ingredients, Great Silkie Sule Skerry, recorded Lieutenant FWL Thomas Royal Navy June 14th, 1852, entry Proceedings Society Antiquaries (Vol 1). declared he heard this folkloric ballad woman Snarra Voe Shetland Islands, northeast Scottish mainland. In ballad, person or silkie (commonly selkie transliteration diminutive form Scots word selch for seal)appears nursing her baby while she laments how little knows infant’s father. Strangely, does recognize man now before her, who, perhaps year earlier, off his skin easily seduced seductive powers men well known (as willingness comfort ladies whose husbands sea). But after lovemaking he, lothario tradition, returns ocean, leaving nurse born. months later, here claim child bag gold “nurse’s fee”, says take him forever away. seduced, abandoned, son torn side multiple losses only worse silkie’s prediction will eventually marry harpoon then-grown (along himself) during future hunt. It’s warning women be careful about whom they give themselves to. needs special heeding if your lover silkie, silkies always return sea… fact, do so, even abandon children husbands. there are mitigating circumstances; stories, captives, coerced into marriage land-living men. Many versions following tale exist across North Atlantic, but common underlying theme comes upon group slipped out rest play beach. Upon seeing approach quickly put back water, one girl quick enough. takes despite pleas falling tears. Seeing alternative landlocked life, agrees captor, keeps hidden. Although husband treats kindly, together, suffers perduring sadness longs sea. One day, mentions has tells where find it. securing rushes shore. Looking back, sees distressed wishes well, telling although developed affection him, loves much more. And that, disappears true love waiting waves. As pulled my kayak up beach, female popped water few feet me. gracefully passed looked me, doleful eyes making contact mine. It knew very way bidding me dipped below surface seemed resolved instant understood isolated battered Atlantic coasts imagine surf. Adrian Burton