THE MERMAID SEQUENCE

just at the brink of the surface

where the light shines in

and it is still

it would seem i cannot see my body nor feel it

for it has passed the threshold

and slipped into wave

ººº

the school of baby swords flit by me

I follow them for a minute or two

I am stopped by the dance of the kaleidoscope sand

it would seem the sea floor has passed the threshold

and slipped into wave

ººº

I pop my head up above

look around and listen

I am farther form the shore than I thought

the girl from the surf shop is cool

she has been on the island not for very long

something about her is as comforting as the sea

she must have long ago passed the threshold

and slipped into then back out of wave

ººº

the curls of her hair harbour magic

I love the curve at the small of her back

the way she picks up running across the sand

with no destination ahead

and stops when she wants

sits where she wants

hums that tune from her head

rotates the world around her

authoritative proud and free

what a magnificent life we could have together

but this girl does not need anything

definitely not a mermaid

not me

º˚