Mermaid’s Lament

I’ve had enough of perching on rocks
stinking of fish, waiting for sailors
to pass by and fall in love.
I want to swim away to shore,
stand up on my own two feet and walk
tall across dry land.
I want to go disco dancing with my mates,
look great in my high-heeled stilettos
and tight blue jeans.
I want to pedal hard up a steep hill,
then legs outstretched, freewheel down
just for the fun of it.
I want to be a striker, take a penalty
and score the golden goal, perform cartwheels
to a roaring crowd.
Or simply lounge on the beach in a twin-set bikini,
paint my toenails, and watch the fishermen
emptying out their nets.

Copyright: from The Language of Cat and Other Poems (Frances Lincoln, 2011), © Rachel Rooney 2011, used by permission of the author and the publisher

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Among Rachel Rooney’s poems you’ll find riddles and puzzles, strange stories, characters from fairy tales – and some very funny ideas. ...

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About Mermaid’s Lament

This poem is about all the things you can do if you have legs.

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