Mastodawn

earthling 1d ago

Enjoying the sunshine

An elephant seal lies on the shore at Kelp Point on the Falkland Islands.

Photograph: Ricardo Mazalán/AP

#photography
#seals

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earthling 1d ago

Praying in gratitude

The way the flippers are tucked together under the chin, the head tilted back, and that expression of pure, serene surrender—it looks like a moment of spiritual transcendence.

It's as if she's saying, "Thank you for the sun, the rock, and the stillness."

#seals
#prayers

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earthling

A Prayer of the Seal

Lord,
The rock is hard, but the sun is warm.
I thank You for this heavy skin that keeps the cold at bay,
and for this moment of stillness away from the crashing surf.
I am large, and perhaps ungraceful on the land,
but here, with my flippers clasped,
I am simply Your servant, enjoying the light.
Amen.

(Missing from Prayers of the Ark by Carmen Bernos de Gasztold, 1963 (English edition), 1947 & 1955 (French editions).

#poetry
#prayers
#animals
#seal
#photography