Daughter of the Water
         As I walked upon the sand
         Of a magic lake in a fantasy land,
         I became aware of eyes fastened on me
         In a state of utmost curiosity.

         I slowly swiveled my head.
         There was a splash and someone said
         Something in a language I didn't understand.
         But it sounded like waves lapping the sand.

         Overcome, I turned around.
         My eyes traveled along the ground,
         And to the water's edge, where I saw a sight
         That gave me a surprise, though not a fright.

         A pair of arms was folded on the beach.
         A pair of hands were in easy reach
         Of the waves. But it was the face
         That held me transfixed, frozen in place.

         Eyes liquid and blue as the sea
         Shone with fascinated curiosity.
         While hair of gold and emerald green
         Shone with a strangely metallic sheen

         As it tumbled about the fabulous features
         Of what appeared to be a human creature.
         But could any human have lips so red
         And skin so pale that it seemed dead?

         In a second I got my reply.
         Overhead a seagull cried.
         The maid turned to look and I did too.
         When I turned back she was gone in the lake blue.

         I squinted, but though it was day
         I only saw something slip swiftly away.
         A instant later, and it was gone
         Leaving the waves to sparkle in the sun.

         I knew now who I'd seen
         With eyes like the water and hair golden green.
         Who else but the lake's own daughter,
         Mermaid, mistress of the water.