Message to Sea Lion
Nancy Bryan
 
 
 
I have seen you on your back, barrel body upside down, sleeping.
Seen your head thrown back like a wave. Sleek face to the sun, glistening oil.
Three deep lines of a nostril open, close like a door.
Hoof-like ears. Sand crusted eyes, tearing. You are beautiful
in brown body in white sand. Blond bird against dark.
Shit smooth shining these stones.
 
                                                        
 
                                                                                       *
 
 
 
I heard barks and roars from the edge of ocean. On glistening sand, you belly
up to abandoned pup, head up, touch noses.  I heard sighing, breathing, your liking the afternoon sun.
 
                                                        
 
                                                                                     *
 
 
 
 
In cerulean water, I swim with you. Your torpedo body
twirls, a darting child running wild. Is this a race? Your speed is bullet-like, out
of the blue, Olympic. Do you have boundaries?
But, I’m cold & climb back in the boat.
I don’t like your fast pace. I want to touch you.
Someday I will lie down next to you and swat the flies off your body.
 
 
 
 
 








​

About the Author: Nancy Bryan’s poems are forthcoming in various journals, including Mudfish, The Cortland Review and Comstock Review. She has taught writing for over a decade in the English department at Brookdale Community College and in their Continuing Education department. Nancy lives in Fair Haven, N.J.

---