Mermaid (For Chiamaka)

That night, I sang a song-
A soft soothing song,
pleasant, as sunset,
Of an angel
Whose voice and touch
Set my heart to ecstasy.

That night, I danced too,
Like children
At the beginning of new rains.

Met her on my way
To the full moon dance,
By the narrow path
Of the yellow stream,
Where the mermaids
Are forged.

She is a mermaid
Made for the god of harvest.
She was clad in purple pearls,
And white feathers
Of the spotless eagle.

Then, we met.
The fire in her eyes
Going through my lenses,
Burning memories away,
Of days gone by,
Spent on drunken dance
With the women of the green lands.

Now, I walk the village,
invisible;
Go through the big flames,
Unburnt;
See through her eyes,
My soul,
Beating the god of harvest
In combat.

Now, I sing her song all day,
Beyond the early strands of daylight,
Beyond the last embers of sunset.


Before I met her
I could never see the rainbows,
Could never feel the taste of
New wine.

Before the fires of her eyes,
I was hunted by cold memories of
Failed songs.

Now, I sing a song of brilliant colours,
Beyond the clouds ,
Beyond the piecing light of dawn,
And birds dance at my chambers.


I go now, to worship at her alter.

***

I come, love mermaid;
I come bearing the Nodes of my heart,
As offering,

As evidence of my love
For your soul,
For your Heart.

I only ask for your carefree laughter,
And the glow of your Enfant smiles.