Skin of the Sea Quotes

“Do not be ashamed of who you are.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Simidele. Listen to me. I know you will make things right. What is done is done. We cannot change the past, only learn from it. What happens next is up to you.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“As I soar through the salt-filled air, I let the rest of my tears fall, and when I open my eyes, it is to a cold sea, washing them away.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“When you pull back the skin of the sea, you never know what you will find.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Because if you act on loving a human, your form will be revoked and you will be nothing but foam upon the sea.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“When you peel back the skin of the sea, you never know what you will find.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Let’s think of a solution, not the problem. None of us prosper when we’re divided.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Let the sea swallow your memories, and embrace what you are now.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Let’s think of a solution, not the problem.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“saved a life rather than a soul. Surely saving someone is a good thing? “I didn’t forget, but I couldn’t let the sea and the sharks claim him. You speak of my purpose, but he was alive. To leave him would have meant his death.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Now, let the water set your memories afloat. Let it set you free from the pain of the past, of what once was. Focus on your task.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“more, nothing less.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Releasing the woman’s fingers, I turn away, not watching as her body sinks into the depths. A daughter, a wife, a mother. My tears join the salt of the sea.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“You might think you’ve been clever to get this far, but I’ve known about your little quest since you boarded Abayomi’s ship. Sango told me of the jewel at your throat. You thought you hid it well enough, didn’t you? Silly little fish.” Esu laughs. “I heard rumors that you saved a human. And if you need to seek forgiveness? Well, the rings are the only way.” The storm. I was right.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“The son who decided to ignore his father and take matters into his own hands. Leaving without permission, trying to make a deal with the Tapa.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“I know you find this hard, Simidele.” Folasade pauses, thinking carefully before speaking again. “But gathering the souls of those who pass in the sea is a way to honor them and bless their journey back to our Creator, Olodumare.” She nods in encouragement, her smile beatific. “It is important to focus on this and not be distracted by other doubts.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Releasing the woman’s fingers, I turn away, not watching as her body sinks into the depths. A daughter, a wife, a mother. My tears join”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“No, I didn’t see him.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Even orisas were bound not to directly intervene in the lives or deaths of man. This was made clear to all deities. Have you never wondered why you are only tasked to gather souls?”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“Yemoja warned against revealing ourselves to humankind, but is this not different?”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“All that you need to do, all that you must do, is to gather any souls of those who pass in the sea, and we will say a prayer to ease them on their inevitable journey back to Olodumare. This is your purpose. Nothing more, nothing less.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“mouth to speak Yemoja’s words. But before I can begin, his eyes open, black pupils swallowing the white.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“All that you need to do, all that you must do, is to gather any souls of those who pass in the sea, and we will say a prayer to bless them on their journey back to Olodumare. This is your purpose. Nothing”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“A journey that is eternally horrifying. Enslaved and stripped of their homeland— I wanted to ensure that those who lose their lives on the sea receive comfort and our prayers before they return home to join Olodumare. This I can do through the creation of Mami Wata.” When she drops her gaze to me, her eyes glitter with fervor. “It is not everything, but it is something. It is our honor.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“The òyìnbó first came to our lands this year, greedy for power and resources. I watched as they began to steal people, taking them away on their giant ships.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“But the sea reminds me, and the surge and crash of giant swells bring me back. I take a deep breath, tuck the memory away, and hope that it stays. Hope that, when I am back in the water, I can still recall her face. Hope that the sea will not erase this, even though it always does.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“But you are not a girl anymore.” Folasade grips my shoulder, forcing my gaze to hers. “You are more than that. We are more than that. Gathering souls to bless is what we were created to do. It is easier to leave who you were behind. Rejoice in that, sister. Let the sea swallow your memories, and embrace what you are now.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“know you find this hard, Simidele.” Folasade pauses, thinking carefully before speaking again. “But gathering the souls of those who pass in the sea is a way to honor them and bless their journey back to our Creator, Olodumare.” She nods in encouragement, her smile beatific. “It is important to focus on this and not be distracted by other doubts.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“African mythology is integral to this story. Learning about Senegalese fairies, the African version of a unicorn, the bultungin shape-shifters of the Kanem-Bornu Empire, and the Ninki Nanka river monster only added to my motivation. Black gods, goddesses, mermaids, and other creatures both deadly and magnificent … and all with African origins. Creating a story blending these and West African history became a passionate obsession.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea

“I flex my feet, twisting my ankles. The memory reminds me of my mother’s tenacity. Of her love for me and of Yemoja’s blessing even before I was re-created. Of the orisa’s courage in creating more Mami Wata. It reminds me of my own determination. My choice. My decision to have the fortitude to make things right. To get the twins and the rings.”
― Natasha Bowen, Skin of the Sea