Mermaid

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Raven sharp enclosing glinting silver fins, bleeding dark feathered paths above           

tracing the skies with a menacing gleam.                           

Stark against the clear blue.                                   

Kissed by palms.                                       

Intercepting mountains protrude, shrouded and crouching bow-legged, 

guarding and forming segmented desert paths for those who dare attempt the incline; 

sheer cliff drops to jagged reefs,                                

dislocated jaws stretched wide,                                   

foaming great whites.                                       

Hissing and frothing murky depths,                               

lapping up her depraved turf, seeking hidden seashells.                       

Crashing and pounding against

dishevelled garments, bunched up to her waist.

Radiating shorelines armed with neat creamy umbrellas.                   

Salt choked swaying gulls screech, pulled by strings.                       

Bobbing buoys dotting the horizon, pimple blush rouge. Bright as a rash.           

Sand-swept echoes swirl beneath floating muslin, 

hidden ink black pearls clinging to scaled skin. 

Seaweed growths entangle kicking exposed legs,

jade ringlets circling and ensnaring, 

knotting up glistening barnacled flesh,                        

sun bleached and salt kissed by cockles and oysters.               

Shifting reflections transform unearthly bare skin

as siren voices lie beneath, their songs carried on ocean winds.

Elongated single limb, sparkling and teal beneath the depths. Censored,

but still a unity of decorated fins, framed by filmy, pleated finishes.