Notes About The Poem

The Clubbing of Seals

The truth
in which
lies
are ever told,
how injustice
is
anything
but in bold.
How I wish
the watery
essence
from
a frying
pan,
could
stain my eyes,
How I dream,
there
was an undoing
of this child's first cries.
My mother's cradle,
only ever wished
in truth
to snap my neck,
like a wild man,
let loose to Geese
in numbers.
My back,
aches
in this slumber,
how I wish,
I could just
float like
the dust and
be absorbed
into non-existence.
My breath
was never here....

The hypocrisy
surrounding
cuddling of bears,
humanity spared
me affection.
Perhaps out of
devotion
so I would feel
even less
of a fish on a reel,
eye contact, I
can't let go off,
sympathizing
becoming...

clubbing of the seals
is our sad reality.
I refuse the peel,
to go further in depth.
I shake with anxiety at nights,
windows that do shake,
no hand, young or elderly
can comfort me here..
My eyes are darkened
when,
once they were beautiful green.

It was never my nature,
to be hateful,
I was the most loving child,
who grew survival
instincts
in how to be weary
in how beginnings
relate to the ends.
I should have died,
a long time before this....
Copyright © | Year Posted 2026

Poem

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Ray Avatar
September 15, 2026 at 10:42 PM
I had to return and read again, this poem, in all its aspects, hits very, very close to home
Ray Avatar
August 14, 2026 at 7:45 PM
This poem is very dear to me as I worked on Greenpeace's ship, the Rainbow Warrior. I organized a crew to do ship repairs in San Francisco. We accomplished that and watched her sail off to campaigns in the Pacific, only to be sabotaged, sunk, and end up on a reef near the Cavalli Islands in New Zealand. Your poem does great justice as to why the ship existed, and because of poets' voices such as this, it continues. Salutations from a brethren soul.
Hayward Avatar
August 14, 2026 at 11:48 PM
Thank-you Tim. I'm glad that the metaphor of the vulnerability of seals pertaining also to child abuse had an impact on you. This is probably my most personal piece.
Hayward Avatar
August 14, 2026 at 2:44 AM
Daniels Avatar
August 10, 2026 at 2:42 AM
A sad powerful write, Ryan ~ very tender and evocative conveying human & animal pain as parallels. Your alignment with non-human species shines through poem clearly & shakes one. ThkU for sharing. Keep writing your emotions. Sending blessings., Ghairo.
Hayward Avatar
August 14, 2026 at 2:45 AM
Thank-you Ghairo Daniels!
Hind Avatar
August 9, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Heavy on my heart, too, Ryan
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