mermaid

He sets his hook
Wanting her to find
It irresistible.
But she shies away
Thinking it too perfect
Too contrived.
Circling
She watches as he tries to tempt her
More
By moving slowly
Languidly as if he doesn’t care
But she knows as she approaches
He will yank it back
Too soon
To score
By snagging her
Helplessly in his net.
She is swift and swims
Away
Shimmering in the ever changing
Dappled liquid light.
Always out of reach
Leaving only
A trail of minute bubbles
In her path
Reluctant to relinquish
Her shining scales
Landed on his desert beach.

TRANSITION

Fallen butterfly
With broken wings
Disabled and destined to crawl
Like a grounded caterpillar
Slow and heavy once again
Fastened like a solid anchor
Sliding singly
To spin herself into a new chrysalis
Transitioning slowly
From damaged goods to earthly worm.
Cocooned to heal and reflect
Upon her flightless arms
Emerging regenerated
She tries each appendage
Repetitiously opening, closing
Opening, closing and opening again.
Flashing her reignited hues
And flexing her femininity
To those with a select view
Admiring her grace
Stamina and reinvention of herself.
She seeks a partner for flight alongside
Uncurling an antenna to coax
Swooping
Drifting
Dipping and looping
On a melancholy breeze
Of languid love.