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How Mermaids Celebrate On Their Coming Of Age Day

a shell filigree wraps around her slim neck
a sparkly corsage with a marabou feather clasps her wrist
her halter-top handsewn by her sisters and mother
jingles with sequins, spangles, and broken glass
that should reflect when she gets there at last

what mobility-- hips and core down, chest up
her fluid wave imitates a dolphin
her flukes carry the speed of angel wings
together they lift her higher,
shooting straight for the blue scatterings at the top

strict, rigorous, punctilious-- her yearning
her nights brimmed with dreams about that blue
will it be anything like what she imagined?
will it give rise to more adventures that will last?
or pale to the forethought of this day?

sixteen years she'd been waiting for this moment
now that it's here, nothing could go wrong
all that fuss about precautions and inconveniences;
disappointments, homesickness?
what in monarchy could go wrong?

were not all events conspiring to enlighten?
were not all creatures concerned about a common goal?
her coming of age will get her closer to meeting the joyous comrade
and her face will feel the warmth of his gentle touch at last

until then, she'll keep kicking and traveling higher
and no dark cloud will extinguish the fire within her core
Sweet 16, a fete she will remember forever
her merfolk better await her return with merriment and restraint
***
© 2021 selmamartin.com

It’s this little Mermaid’s sweet sixteen birthday. How else do you imagine
she’d be celebrating? Share your thoughts, please. XO.

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THANKS FOR READING
I wish you miracles.

Selma Martin
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This Post Has 20 Comments

  1. Jane Aguiar

    Awesome poem!…… Mermaid with lovely halter-top, xoxo 🤗

  2. BookWorm

    Impactful! You have used such elegant vocabulary, that I truly felt mesmerized. We are all mermaids in this sea of troubles.
    Beautifully written, I will keep popping in for more!

    1. Selma Martin

      Thanks for the words of encouragement.
      Perfect way to take it about us all being mermaids. Haha. 🧜‍♀️ 🧜‍♀️ 🧜‍♂️ 🧜
      In a sea of troubles no less. Lovely 🥰
      I’m so glad you read. Thanks a million. You rock, Bookworm 📕 🐛 👏

      1. BookWorm

        You rock to Selma! You seem to be a fantastic person 🙂

        1. Tricia Sankey

          You have a magical voice! I read the verse “were not all events conspiring to enlighten” a few times I like it so much! 💓

  3. Jules

    Oh! A long time ago I wrote about a mermaid who transformed on land for a short time… But eventually went back to the sea.
    I think just sometimes I’d love to live there… in a clean warm ocean with dolphin friends!!

    1. Selma Martin

      Yeah, me too: under da sea! Yeah! 👏
      Thanks for visiting, Jules. 💕

  4. SamSahana

    Okay, stop! This is OUTRAGEOUSLY beautiful! Should be illegal for something to be so perfect. I’m going to add bookmark to this poem as it’s one of the best I’ve ever read here in the blogosphere! Can’t take in all the beauty of this at once.
    Fantabulous tale of the little mermaid at 16! I’m at this point where coming of age tales are most relevant and relatable. I’m “of age” for most things in most parts of the world (since 2 months ago). Guessing I’m not yet “of age” for many things in Japan, New Zealand, some provinces in Canada, etc..? I definitely don’t feel “grown up” at all.
    Found this mermaid very relatable and this is a super enchanting tale. Her joy of sweet 16 reverberates and happiness is hitting me in waves just reading this! Enchanting tale and this is going in my bookmarked posts.

    1. Selma Martin

      Sam, what an honor to have you read all those many posts. And comment on each. You are the sweetest. Thank you. You never fail to impress me yet again.
      So glad they all spoke to you in all the ways I wish them to speak to my readers. You are the best. And I bow when I say, thanks. Stay lovely. Don’t exhaust yourself too fast; you just returned. Be well. I wish you miracles.

      1. SamSahana

        Exhaust? Not at all! It was amazing to get back to reading your works. This, for one, is my personal favourite poem and it’s bookmarked for me to read whenever I feel down. Absotlely gorgeous piece!

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