Disenchanted

Unmatched clarity

in turquoise waters;

she swims, unhindered

by the burden of humanity.

Treasures she collects

from the world above—

Ignorance is her curse.

Love she finds

as the breaking waves crest,

delivering to her a man.

He hears her sirens’ call,

beauty from a place found

only in his fantasies.

Desire fills him

as the mermaid desires humanity.

What one will do for love,

that is the greatest tragedy.

Trading celestial voice

and sea nymph tail

for the chains of mortality,

for love that vanishes with time.

Glorious viridian fins flutter away,

traded for limbs;

Traded for legs…to be spread open.

Traded for intimacy that is only an illusion;

unaware that she will be fucked dry.

Both body and mind

ripped apart throughout years of mortality,

until her spirit is broken

and her soul is warped;

whims of the prince thrust upon her.

Now she stands at the water’s edge:

watching the majesty of cresting waves

beneath blazing sun,

hearing the sirens’ call;

briny taste in her mouth,

yearning to drink from the cup of her youth

once more.

Poor mermaid…

There is no going back to the sea.