The Sea Child

In the waters of the deep,
Many creatures lurk and creep.
Many creatures meet their end,
Mistaking hunters for their friends.
Then a gentle creature dwells, 
In these underwater hells,
And the dreadful end she meets,
Is equaled by her daughter's feats.
As rocks crash into where she lives,
In death's pain, hear the words she gives.
"swim my dear, my little girl",
She sighs and strokes her daughter's curls,
"Swim, my darling, swim and hide.
Do not tarry by my side.
I am going, I will fly, 
I am leaving, do not cry."
The thunder of rocks, a crash in the deep,
Sent her mother to her sleep.
The little girl swam with fragile might.
Not yet three, she feared her life.
She turned her face to a dark gray sky,
And stroking on, began to cry.
She had left her mother's side,
To drift along with the tide.
Beautiful little mermaid child,
Left an orphan, alone in the wild.
To find the others, searching long,
Urged on by her mother's song.
"Little child of the sea,
Mother is here, I will always be,
By your side both day and night,
Please swim now dear, with all your might.
Find our family, You will know....
I will guild you where to go.
And cradle you in my arms of love,
To see my face just look above.
The little girl swam alone and far,
Guided by both sun and star.
Until she need no longer roam,
At last..... She'd found her home.

They found her on the shore, asleep.
She'd joined her mother in the unknown deep.

©1981 Sherry Gardner