Swimmers

Fish - Salmon - Crab - Lobster - Seal - Walrus - Otters - Whales - Sea Lions - Eels
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The Seduction of Walrus

Walrus hide is thick in old males.
With their broken tusks and balloon cheeks
they bob on the water or haul themselves
with effort onto ice floe or barren rock.

With their broken tusks and balloon cheeks
they appear above the sea ill at ease heaving
with effort onto ice floe or barren rock
to rest and breathe the air they need.

They appear above the sea ill at ease heaving
into the deep, beneath the waters, underneath.
To rest and breathe the air they need
they must endure lumbering awkwardness.

Into the deep, beneath the waters, underneath
they are the grace of birds in air and then once again
they must endure lumbering awkwardness.
Do not be fooled by walrus.

They are the grace of birds in air and then once again,
there is a certain drum beat can you feel it?
Do not be fooled by walrus
pulling you underneath. How will you breathe?

There is a certain drum beat can you feel it
tugging at your feet, your belly, your heart, your groin,
pulling you underneath. How will you breathe
after your spirit dances heaving you into the deep?

  ~Barbara Flaherty