Mermaids Poem by Dr Vidya Hariharan

The sea was rough, playful rough
Beckoning, inviting, thrilling,
Under a blazing sun the water
Was a welcome place.
He held my hand
Walking me in
Slowly, oh so slowly,
Challenging me, smiling,
Trust me, his eyes said.
Laughing, protesting
I waded in.

He let go.

It was sudden, he said.
The waves were not so high
When we went in.
He wept.
They all commiserated.
What a tragedy, they said,
And on their anniversary too.
***