Freshwater Mermaid

 

The freshwater mermaid

A girl with gills in her throat

Swims in rapid water

A river of bodies and liquid silver

A mirror that reflects the sky as it brightens

Beyond recognition and reveals the horizon.

 

Clouds roll and roar above waves and saline foam

Indigo moans over vast bruised space,

Backlit by flickering gold.

 

She has green algae hair and a marmalade tail of shining scales

A sea faring fairy with fiery eyes.

 

Do her feet burn on the land?

Does she sing a silent song?

Can you hear her voice in the rapids?

Can you feel her in the vibrations of the riverbed?

 

Water holds her memories

Clouds cradle her dreams.