Twisted Mermaids

They live in coral castles and sing deep in the ocean. But even deeper is their inner emotional world. They are endlessly entangled and
communicating wordlessly. They have an
intricate language that is known only to them.
The mermaids have a very secret life.

One summer night I heard voices from the lake mimicking and teasing me. I was at Echo Lake in The Indian Head Wilderness in the Catskills Mountains. Once in awhile I heard a small splash and saw blue moonlight reflecting on ripples. The mermaid muses would call back to me, and later they would sing to each other. There are many mermaid tales from the Native Americans. One of sisters that went in the water and could never leave. They are still there if you listen
during a full moon.

Even deadlier than her voice is the enticing perfume she creates. So strong it lures the sailors to the edge of the decks. It only takes seconds for them to become stunned–long enough for her to reach from the swirling foam and grasp an arm or a leg. Down she goes, fleeing while giggling only to find that her sweet lovers can’t survive in her depths. The pearly shells and coral caves silently witness her grieving until the next ship comes by and she tries again.

Lilith of Labrador
From Newfoundland to Nantucket, she is the icy sea of Labrador and all of its currents. Like any fish, and like some people, where she lives depends on the season. In winter months, she swims south from the arctic, bringing with her a tremendous wave of cold. Yet her sister’s northerly currents mean she will never make it further south than the small fishing village of Monhegan, Maine. You can see her in winter sitting on the southern rocks, watching as the waves block her off from the world.