Lake Michigan mermaid

There is no salt in my tears
because I was born
beneath the moon in August freshwater
to a woman with hair as gold
as the burning innards of stars.

Two long legs, skin the pale
shade of sand at night,
and my thoughts always swim
ahead of me.

Silver beach, Lion's beach, Tiscornia
beach, Grand Mere, South Haven
beach, Secret beach--
          all form the slender neckline of the
          beating of my heart:
                              Lake Michigan.

The sun drowns in tired peace
each night and I must ask--
        have you walked the pier
        at the most vital moment: night?
        The whole universe above you
        and reflected below off the
        water, light lapping against
        the algae-furred pier, faint haze
        of the hint of Chicago.

I don't have shiny scales
but gills do line my heart
and when I step into the lake,
I slip into skin that has
touched stars and held the moon.

Author's Note

um, I've not posted anything in about a week... I'm uncertain about this one.

Reviews

[quinfinn]

let's dispense with your uncertainty here and now...i absolutely adore this write! the last two lines make my soul ache for that watery release that is the changling mermaid entering her true element. beautiful...there is a youtube clip on real mermaids and it is very convincing without seeming contrived, watched it this morning and was saddened and thrilled at the same time.

[eglantine]

phew, I'm glad you enjoyed it :) Yea, I have probably watched it. lol

[quinfinn]

the video had live video of them swimming and ended with the rotting body of a dead mermaid on the beach, so very sad, in fact.... tragic

[eglantine]

oh, ok I didn't see that one lol do you remember what it's called?

[quinfinn]

i have it on my f/b page, i'll go check...brb

[quinfinn]

sameen 115 real mermaids better belive it/youtube

[eglantine]

hahaha ok, imma check it out--thanks!

[quinfinn]

;)

[eglantine]

omg awesome! haha, psoted it on my fb :) thanks for sharing!

[quinfinn]

anytime....glad you found it

[The Rock And Roll Cowbo..]

Wow that is some really beautiful imagery... the mystery and mystic of the mermaid and relating it to your heart... magnificent work.

[eglantine]

aw thanks for reading :) always nice to hear feedback

[The Rock And Roll Cowboy(REBEL WITH A CAUSE)]

You are welcome.