Hypnobirthing for seals

by Hana Wilde

No rainbows,
No flowers slowly opening.

This is the surge of tides
The search for a high beach
The fear of storms
A bladderwrack tangle

A place to pup
Where everyone else can
Fuck
Off.

The urge to shallow waters,
A high place,
The sound

Of pebbles in the wash
Pup pup pup

Of gulls
Pup

A job to do
Pup

Raw slick and salt:

uncaring,
reassuring,
vast.