Seal

by Anne Sexton

I dreamt of a seal
with wide wings,
made of vineagar and little boys, sliding past the star motes,
up over the city of Frisco,
saying forgive me lord
for I have lived so little
I have need of night people.
I have need to see the bum dozing,
off on scag, the women in labor
pushing forth a pink head,
lord I need to fly I am sick of rocks and sea water, I need to
see the moon,
old gyrator,
old butter ball,
and the starts pinching each other
like children.
I want the prairie, the city, the mountain,
I am sick and tired of the rock off Frisco
with its bleating and cowing.
Lord, let me see Jesus before it's all over,
crawling up some mountain, reckless and outrageous,
calling out poems
as he lets out his blood.