Writhing souls line the cave,
the water becomes thick and murky,
howls and moans of warning fill my ears,
reminding me I could go back now,
I could leave the the bewitched waters
before it is too late,
before magic is brought into my veins.

But my scaley turquoise tail
keeps propelling me forward
and the walls
become closer and narrower.
Boulders covered with green, slimy seaweed
form pictures and shadows
that inch along the wall,
slowly reeling me in.

My yellow and blue friend
tags along slowly behind,
cautiously guarding himself with my body.
My loyal companion is terrified
of what is at the end of the passage...
the creature,
flanked by two green electric eels
that could fry him up for dinner.

I should be scared too
but I’m determined.

All my dreams and hopes
I will make come true at any cost.
No matter what
and despite all my doubts,
my dream will stay strong.
A dream is what gives you hope
and guides you through rough seas.

My sisters and Father don’t understand my longings.
They don’t understand what I want,
and that I can’t sit still and sing any longer.
My curiosity and hope for adventure
is too great.
If my Father won’t grant me flesh,
then I will find a way to do it myself.
I heed no warnings
As I swim gradually forward.

My chin is high,
my cobalt blue eyes defiant,
my back straight.
I will not betray myself
I will not give away a weakness.

My flaw is how naive I am
because I have no idea what I’m doing.
I don’t know what is fair or how to bargain.
The simple task of negotiation
goes over my head.
As a King’s Daughter,
No lessons of business were given to me.
I just hope the witch
doesn’t see how vulnerable I truly am.

A dream of legs will keep me going.
Long limbs of pale peach skin
are worth the risk.
A lifetime of happiness
above the sea and in a sailor’s arms,
to frolic on the beach
with a shaggy grey and white mutt
is my one desire.

A prince and a dog will push me forward,

to do what I need to do.

With that in mind,
I don’t hesitate
as I step into the lair of a sea witch,
with long purple tentacles
reaching toward me.
Waiting to wrap me up
with promises
suddenly I forget all the warnings
that she isn’t to be trusted.

Tricks and schemes are routine for her,
each sister told me so,
but I turned a blind ear to it all.
And without a final glance back
I sign my name for my dream and a future.