The Mariner's Daughter by Syd Lazarus
the mariner’s daughter is a short interactive poetry piece about choosing to date a ghoulish selkie girl.
Writing and Art by Syd Lazarus. See more of their work right here.
Music by Neha Patel. See more of her work right here.
Artist Statement
Being disabled, queer and trans makes me feel monstrous. I have one autoimmune disease that sends my mood, digestive system and productivity down the drain, the other which makes my hands give out, and my body throb. I rely heavily on the assistance of others, specifically my girlfriend, who cares for me in a way that appears effortless and unending on my worst days.
I often feel my partner and I’s deep connection comes from our shared monstrosities; previously unhealthy romantic relationships, dysphoria, and queerness have shaped us, and in many ways, make our relationship into the caring one it is today. Her love for me has reinvented the love I have for myself. In “the mariner’s daughter,” I navigate the unexplored grounds of being in love with a sea creature--deep diving into the eroticization and joy of the supposedly monstrous.
Please full screen the game and put your volume on to enjoy this piece in its entirety.
Click This Link to Play “the mariner’s daughteR”
SYD LAZARUS is currently attending Concordia University as an MA Candidate for Creative Writing. When they're not writing poetry, they're acting as Community Manager/Narrative Designer for Montreal game studio Casa Rara.Their written work can be found in print and online publications such as Shameless Mag, Lunch Ticket, Bad Dog Review, Shrapnel Mag and Cool Customer. Their first chapbook, How to Lose Friends Without Really Trying was published with Frog Hollow Press in 2019.