THE OLD MERMAID

WHEN THE MERMAID GREW OLD

When the mermaid grew old
she cut off her hair
those soft snares for sailors
once left many weeping

Now thrown to wild tides
her locks honeysuckle
cover the ocean
from here to Glass Island

Drunk mariners tie it
to the manes of their horses
wild men of the salt roads
who ride with her singing

Old ships remember
her once dread rock
Where even sails full blown
would stop to listen

Pale as a sea-flame
she sank to the deep
bade farewell to those
drowned by her mirror.

Sweetly their skeletons
watch from the fathoms
Her leap to the sky
Her flight with new stars

©Debbie Gallagher 01/6/2015 all rights reserved