poem08 Oct 2012 11:27 am

MERMAID

(villanelle)

 

She slips beyond the reach of man

in torpid heat he kneels to pray

bright-eyed, fevered upon the sand

 

He casts hook and line with firm hand

in frothing water day by day

she slips beyond the reach of man

 

He feels the curse as if a brand

the distant gods regard his face

bright-eyed, fevered upon the sand

 

Sleek siren heeds no human plan

from ships, or sailors’ longing gaze

she slips beyond the reach of man

 

Bright silver lures her near the strand

the man has hardened in his ways

bright-eyed, fevered upon the sand

 

The man must feed his hungry clan

pulls food not myth from raging waves

She slips beyond the reach of man

bright-eyed, fevered upon the sand

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2 Responses to “Mermaid by Colleen Anderson”


  1. […] Mermaid (poem) in Polu Texni […]


  2. […] Mermaid (a villanelle) up at Polu Texn […]

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