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| Cygnet, Color Etching, 9x12". © by Ruth Zachary |
The image was made for my daughter when an adolescent, when so many things in life were such a cause for angst! I likened her to the story of the Ugly Duckling, actually a swan, because to me, she was the most lovely of children, but I could not convince her of it at that age.
And then, again, I saw her as a mermaid, because she seemed so at home in the water.
Again I wrote this poem for her, but never showed it to her not wanting to make her feel more self conscious. Maybe one day she will read it and understand, because she is a mother herself.
Little Mermaid
Little naiad, solitary swimmer,
who sings siren songs to unwary
sailors, there is a story told
you really long for love.
Little mermaid, sensuous
traveler of sky and foam,
viewing dreams in your mirror
from beneath the tide, do you
long for sun on the water's surface,
or to dance with fireflies
skimming over the water
under the swelling moon?
Do you think you have only
gills for swimming? Do you not
also have feet for the land,
where you may walk,
sprinkling water and seaweed
where you go? Come near,
look through the sparkling water,
see me, your mamsellefly.
Little daughter, damoiselle,
come up little nymph! Feel
the wind's caress. Breathe
the fragrance of the rose, and
taste her honey. Love may
also give you wings to fly.
See me here, arms beckoning,
peering into your depths.
Come up and see the beauty
above the water's surface,
try the view of yourself
in the mirror from above.
Discover the rhythm of love
in the beat of your own heart
through love given and returned
again. Little water child,
in your dark solitude, do you
think only bloodless shades
inhabit the earth? I would show
you rainbows; forests, mountains,
the Aurora Borealis, the Milky Way.
Writing and Images are the copy right © of Ruth Zachary
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