Rebirth Poem by Amy Serhienko

She was adrift -
floating in a sea of inertia,
clinging to her raft of apathy,
unable to swim –
when she saw him.
an olive-skinned merman,
with scales of crimson
and mischievous eyes.
He surfaced before her,
breaking the water’s smooth plane.

As she watched,
he parted the aqua surface,
golden in the light,
diving beneath her raft.
He jabbed at it,
testing,
checking its stability.
It faltered at his touch,
bobbing crazily,
water spilling over her,
and tossed her over the side.

Heart pounding,
full of fear,
she clutched at the raft.
But it broke apart,
pieces drifting,
leaving her stranded.
Panicked, she thrashed,
arms flailing,
beating at the water,
gasping for air.

He again appeared,
arms wide, smiling,
and circled her waist.
She clung to his neck,
grateful,
as she shook.

Holding her tight,
he dove,
pulling her with him
below the water.

She struggled,
trying to escape,
but he kept her close,
watching her.
Mer-words he never spoke
filled her head,
resonating.

“You’ll be reborn,
but you must let go.
I was sent to help,
to guide and teach,
but you alone can decide.”
For a moment,
their eyes locked.
Then he released her,
floating backward,
and watched.

Her hair billowing outward,
eyes closed,
understanding dawned.
She nodded,
parted her lips,
and expelled her last breath
to receive the water’s kiss.

It swallowed her,
this silvery sea-blood.
It filled her veins,
and woke her spirit,
and quelled her fears.
As he watched,
her legs melded,
a tail forming
of shining teal scales.

She opened her eyes,
self-assured now,
aware and alive,
and knew she was home.