sixteen years in the eternal water
in the frigid skin of the ocean’s daughter
stealing glimpses of sunlight and moments of breath
to escape the weight of the fathomless blue depths
i stole scraps of humanity for my aching soul
i built temples for false gods and pirate gold
and worshipped what I could never hold
in my secret refuge, i dreamed my escape --
to break through the surface ‘til the wind touched my face
to find something to love in man’s embrace
he fell into my ocean like an answered prayer
the first gasp of breath in a world with no air
and when i dragged him from the stormy sea
i convinced myself that he rescued me
on the sun-drenched shore, i watched him sleep
the kind of beauty that makes angels weep
the son of daydreams and fever-dream flashes
delicate fingers and salt in his lashes
warm skin gleaming like a gold doubloon
silken hair haloed in late afternoon
the waves gave chase relentlessly
the current implored me to know my place
but i ignored the siren’s warning plea
for still i dreamed i could outrun my fate
i clung to him to keep from drowning
and watched seaweed grow around his ankles
we dwelled in impossibility
and let our restless souls entangle
we built a sandcastle for weekend lovers
and drew another life within its walls
where he was not bound to another
where i could not hear the ocean’s call
sweet prince,
if my scales were flesh,
if my blood ran warm,
if longing alone
could make me transform
if my body could stand to dance on your shore
believe me --
i would dance with you forevermore
but when I opened my mouth to declare my love
no words could form this perfect lie
for my body knew what my heart still denied
still i prayed his kiss would transform me
into the sort of girl who could be his bride
but no creature can run from destiny’s tide
she chants my name like a sacred song
and floods me with her midnight spell
with skin of silver and hair of stars;
she reminds me what i know too well
she envelops me in seductive waves
and claims me in her slender hands
and carries me back to my watery grave
to a destiny untouched by man
now his memory still flickers in my darkest dreams
the only true treasure in my trinket collection
an intangible relic of childish curiosities
a secret memorial to my misguided affections
forgive me, prince, you were far too kind
to a little mermaid who lost her mind
