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Mermaid Memorial



We kept the mermaid in a saltwater cell
made of glass

she was quite the most beautiful thing
we'd ever seen

we stood around for days, looking, listening
she seduced us all

not meaning to, it was the warmth of her words

the sensuousness web of her poetry

a velvet voice with the southern drawl we wished for her
it was her nature

through the prism of the glass we adored her
knew we were adored in return

now there is only the ebbing of ocean and memory

of the sweet sea island she made our own

shattered by the weight of delusion the tank is broken

where once 10,000 gallons of clear blue sea

held by constraints we'd composed so carefully
to hold her tight

Seaworld or prison, it all depended on the nature
of the light

 



***

Author notes

I've known Lane longer than anyone here. I brought her from Poetic Constellations after I discovered AP. She in turn brought others to this place. I've known her as Misslane, Dalaney, Mermaid, MadameX, and maybe it is that last tag that sums her up best because I spent two years trying like hell to understand and keep up with her (and what a ride it was!) She made friends easily and it was easy to love her.
She's not perfect, far from it.
She is unique.

I have no idea if she'll ever come back, so I thought I should add to the memorial.
But don't be surprised if her words grace these 'pages' again.

I know the coast and the tide always turns.

Lane, I hope you're smoking something sweet right now, watching the moon rise over the sea.
I truly hope you find what your looking for.

Maybe I'll See you in Savannah someday.
We share that city, remember.

love,
David
your 'Artiste'

A contest entry

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Comments

1 - 12 of 12

  • Auburn Sunrise gold member
    May 3

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    What a poem!!!
    I am amazed at how many poets entered this contest, how many mourned her "loss" - most of them my closest friends. It is inspiring... to know that one person can make such a difference in the lives of so many (without even seeing them face to face, presumably).
    This write was exquisite, and I thin it portrayed the subject startlingly well. It was a gripping view into the high tides and low tides of an incredible person, and a reminder of the miserable fact that the four walls of comfort and artistic freedom sometimes eventually become the four stifling walls of our cage.

    Stunning.

  • ecrivain01 silver member
    May 1
    Edit | Reply

    Oh yes, before I forget ...

    I really like this background. Any chance of your sending it to me? I can't rightclick to save backgrounds with Safari. Macs aren't set up that way.
  • ecrivain01 silver member
    May 1

    Edit | Reply

    C'est magnifique ...

    and I can't really imagine how one could improve on this. It's rather a tour de force, and that's basically like trying to improve on the Hope Diamond, hardly possible.


  • Harlequin Bunny silver member
    April 29

    Edit | Reply
    This is very beautiful, and I'm sure that your friend will appreciate all the poems in the contest, if she chances to read them! I did not realise that this was written for a specific person, I thought it was just a "regular" poem, and appreciated the pictures of adoration, beauty, and loss that it painted in my mind! What a lovely memorial, I only hope that I would also inspire people to such devotion some day!

  • Amera gold member
    April 22
    Edit | Reply
    I love it! It made me cry.


  • Ithica silver member
    April 19

    Edit | Reply
    I for one cannot say good-bye... for I felt she was a kindred spirit. I was guided to her by "our" resident genius... and she in turn helped me to guide my emotions onto the page peeling away sometimes painful layers to the truth... and then she would turn around and make me laugh outloud. I "sorely" miss picking myself up off the floor on a daily basis. I hope she does return one day... sooner rather than later!!!


  • pantress
    April 18

    Edit | Reply
    This was so beautiful. thank you for sharing with us, and giving us an ounce of hope that we may read her poems again, someday. She is adored by so many here....
    jen


  • daviscth gold member
    April 18
    Edit | Reply
    I just can't stand the thought of not having Lane around!!! This is aweful and almost feels like she died or something and I've had enough death to last me a lifetime.

    How can I survive without reading more of her "Adam" poems? That was one sexy ghost!

    This just ain't a good day for me, lol. But I loved your dedication to her, it was beautiful. Good luck.


  • catz Moderators member
    April 18

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    What a uniquely expressed tribute to this lady poet. I can see that her presence is sorely missed here on the site. Hopefully she'll return someday.
    You've written a beaitiful and sincere poem, and I wish you well in the contest

    Dee


  • Tennessee-Joe silver member
    April 18

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    Outstanding words David. I hope that she is looking in on us, and see how much she touched our lives.
    Joe


  • Cannonsfire silver member
    April 17

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    Superb...this had the feel of the island girl and it drew my in immediately. I do hope she will grace us with the words for it is those we all devour whether we know her or not. Love, C


  • tomisb gold member
    April 17

    Edit | Reply
    Thanks this is wise, insightful and delightful. She is her own universe and I agree, I am blessed to have visited it.
    Love, Tom B.

1 - 12 of 12