MERMAIDS<\/p>\n
Cool and wet, in the light of the cold white moon
\nClothed only in the phosphorescent waters glow
\nWhere am I? Only the night birds and the fishes know
\nNear by a gull, disturbed by my swim, sings his raucous tune <\/p>\n
The water flows over me like a lovers caress
\nOnward I drift, with the tides salty stream
\nUnfettered, my mind begins an oddly familiar dream
\nA woman appears, standing, like me she is without dress<\/p>\n
She dives into the shallow inlets flow
\nAnd reappears, glowing with an inner light
\nI give chase, swimming with all my might
\nWhen I arrive at her side, again she dives below<\/p>\n
But instead of legs long and sleek
\nA fishes tail follows her into the brine
\nMermaid! the thought rips into my mind
\nI hesitate, astounded, by this being that i see<\/p>\n
Again she appears, this time not alone
\nThree more of these apparitions, appear in a wave crest
\nAs glowing water cups their bobbing breasts
\nTheir sirens song begins, and i become still as stone<\/p>\n
The song, more beautiful than any mortal woman’s voice
\nCaptivates me, holds me, unable to think or move
\nMy love, it says, to have them i must prove
\nAs I listen I realize I am being offered a choice<\/p>\n
To join them in their home, wet and cool
\nTo swim, and frolic, under the sea
\nForever and ever just them and me
\nJust then a gull cries out, “death is what they offer, you fool!” <\/p>\n
When I look back to where the water is dark and deep
\nOnly a fading sparkle marks where sirens swam
\nI shout out, come back, only the gull reply’s “foolish man”
\nThen I realize, that their love had a price attached, far too steep!<\/p>\n
Michael Hissom<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
MERMAIDS Cool and wet, in the light of the cold white moon Clothed only in the phosphorescent waters glow Where am I? Only the night birds and the fishes know Near by a gull, disturbed by my swim, sings his … Continue reading