every stormy ship-wrecked sea
breeds a mermaid guidingly
blows an anchor gently on
leaves no deck to walk upon
a mermaid graces tumultuous hulls
stops the rain, calls the gulls
shines rays of hope through darkened skies
perspective to the high and dry
go deep down, sailor, to your grave
for there the graceful lady lays
then moves like phoenix toward the stars
all mermaids take you just as far
fear not the vortex or the void
nor unmapped seas still to be buoyed
be happy, mate, and stand up straight
mermaids know it is never too late
so petrified you cannot move
the undersea garden calls to you
her love is free, wet, and warm
take heart in this, boy, not the storm
From "Miss Brooklyn"
Taipei, May 28, 1989
revised August 2016
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