The Mermaid's 'Tail'

She watches the blue in the sky and the sea
'A magical sort of hue',thinks she.
Over the ship's rail she slips ever so quietly
For the drawing of the magic has overcome
"At first a billowy cloud swarms before me,
Then dazzling,O,Marvelous light of the ocean,"
Her eyes widen as she tells the stricken captain
"I jumps like a fish and swish my wonderous,scaly tail
Yes,dear papa,my limbs had wonderfully transformed."
The young lady beseeches on to her father to no avail.

"Faster and faster we glided about
Till I was dizzy with glee and delight
All cheery and sparkling and merry in song
One which bespeaks the wicked merkings fall
The words are not remembered but relief was true
When I came upon the coral court where eligible princesses are few
A moment of tingling sensation courses through me
As I look to see a fair face gazing through the reeds
And I being a Captain's daughter,the court is pleased
Love fastens and stays on his heart and mine
So you see,Father,I am to marry a merman."

A great deal of weeping is thence followed
Then anger and a fierce but empty threat to the gallows
And a threat and only a threat it is
For the captain would never harm precious blood of his
Avoiding the dreaded farewell,She steps out late in the night
And at the stroke of twelve all sailors and watch behold a breathtaking sight
There,among the waves,shimmering golds and greens,the most beautiful mermaid is seen
She followed her heart though her penalty be life in the sea
Forever a myth swishing her scaly tail ,she will be.