A Mermaid Washed up on the Shore

A mermaid washed up on the beach near a town,

And nobody came to its aid.

It flopped up and down,

And flapped left and right,

Then stopped and gave up in the end.

It stayed there and laid on its back for a while,

Flipped over as sunlight bore down.

As the fish side cooked through

The birds gathered round

And watched hungrily, beaks open wide.

No comfort, no help, no compassionate hands,

Though there were quite a few souls nearby.

“How tragic,” they thought.

“Should go out there, I ought,”

But they all just stayed home to pretend.

And none of them came.

Though really they wanted,

They really quite did, deep deep down.

But gosh it was hot, and humid, and you know the weather

Just wasn’t quite right.

Near the beach they assembled,

And gathered,

And drew.

To watch over the poor little thing.

“Oh dear,” they mumbled

“Unfortunate,” muttered.

If only someone, well, would.

A step or a start,

Or just open of heart,

A nod or a glance or a push.

If someone could tempt them, and give them a little,

Just – something, to just follow through.

And all of the someones gathered around it,

Waiting for someone to come.

They watched closer,

Talked louder,

And got real worked up.

And said “Really, can someone just go?”

“Well, I really… you know,”

“It’s not the best time…”

“I’ve got an appointment at three....”

Just find someone else,

The someones all said.

Try him, or try her… just not me.

And a little young boy,

No more than just five, let go of his mother’s shy hand.

He walked up to the mermaid,

Kneeled down by her side,

And asked her if she was alright.

He took her by hand,

Over beach,

Over sand,

And led her back into the sea.

There, she could swim - and she did - and she left, and was finally, finally, free.

She didn’t say thank you, and he didn’t care.

And the crowd dispersed without another word.