A Repost of a poem written in 2021.
I hope it speaks to you whether or not you believe in merfolks.
Whether you’re 16 or 70-something.
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
🎐🎐🎐
her neck wrapped in a shell filigree
glass that should reflect when she arrives
she shoots for the scatterings beyond
will it be like what she imagined
aren’t we all concerned about one goal:
to meet and feel the warmth of the light…
keep kicking sisters, travel higher
nothing can cloud the beacon inside
chest up–don’t flout that private lantern
you didn’t come this far to yield now
© 2024 selmamartin
Thanks so much for rereading everyone.
This one is in celebration of someone I love;
it’s her birthday today, August 27th.
Happy Birthday, Bestie Kathryn.
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A beautiful poem, magical
Thank you so much, dear Sadje. Blessings.
You’re welcome
A beautiful poem, and all those years wishing to be sixteen, are a distant memory.
Sixteen, a distant memory indeed, but let’s not stop dreaming… we don’t know what we don’t know about what’s to come, what ceilings will be broken. Let’s keep dreaming. Thanks for reading and commenting, dear Diana. blessing you.
🙂bless you too.
Wonderful writing .
Love this one !
Thank you, Maggie. let’s keep dreaming. Happy you enjoyed it.
My pleasure Selma.
Have a lovely day 🙏
What a wonderful way to begin my Birthday! I loved that poem the first time I read it, now it has garnered another star. Thank you dear friend for your thoughtfulness, generosity, creativity, and above all, miracles. I’m off to watch the sunrise to the sound of tinkling chimes with a cup of tea, and a letter. xoxo
May Manny many miracles bless you this year. Thanks for being here. Just thanks. I’m sure you had a splendid day, replete with everything you love. May the whole year be that way. Blessings. xo, ((Hugs))
Wow!
╰(*´︶`*)╯♡
I love the idea of mermaids celebrating birthdays!
They do. Yes. 😉