Another Xangan wrote the bulk of this and asked me to help polish it a bit. She prefers to remain anonymous but I’m sure she’ll watch your feedback.
Drowning
A mermaid beckoned me to the sea this day.
Her beauty undeniable. Her song hypnotizing.
I could not will myself away.
I dove into the water
Entangling my body with hers.
Sweetness and wonderment,
Swimming away from the burden of the upperworld.
She told me to go deeper.
For a moment I feared for my ability to breathe down there.
But she laughed
A musical harmonic laugh. Teasing and taunting me to go deeper.
When I began to lose consciousness she kissed me.
Her kisses gave me breath.
I followed her deeper. The water warming my senses.
She promised me magical moments lasting forever.
I inhaled deeply. A wonderful calm overcame me.
Breathing. Carefree. A new world of reality.
Of illusions perhaps. But a wonderful, magical miasma
Filled my soul. Breathing dreams with my angel.
Reveling in the comfort underwater. I had become a siren.
For how long I could not tell. Forever perhaps.
She warned me about resurfacing
Like a mother warns a child.
The sun would burn my tender skin.
Gravity would collapse my legs.
Stay with her and leave the upperworld behind.
* * * * *
After a time, I dreamt of resurfacing.
The desire to return grows,
The magic of the underworld fades.
Nothing against pescetarians, but I’ve had my fill.
Yes! A filet mignon cooked Pittsburgh style ought to do the trick!
I pry the seaweed from my hair and ascend to the known but unknown.
I’m frightened. Aware of the abuse, betrayal and abandonment that awaits me.
Where the days become so complicated. So raw.
I remember the sensitivity of my mermaid.
Knowing that I can return to her when I am hurt.
Does that knowledge make the world easier?
Addiction haunts my life in the upperworld,
Calling to me. The power of illusions.
* * * * *
The ocean deceives the eyes,
It’s surface hiding the activity below.
So, too, does the heart.
