A Mermaid's Tail (Tale)
by Judith Viorst
I left the castle of my mer-king father,
Where seaweed gardens sway in pearly sand.
I left behind sweet sisters and kind waters
To seek a prince's love upon the land.
My tongue was payment for the witch's potion,
And never would I sing sea songs again;
My tail became two human legs to dance on,
But I would always dance with shards of pain.
I risked more than my life to make him love me.
The prince preferred another for his bride.
I always hate the ending to this story:
They lived together happily; I cried.
But I have some advice for modern mermaids
Who wish to save great sorrow and travail:
Don't give up who you are for love of princes.
He might have liked me better with my tail.
LOVE WILL DISTRACT ME NO MORE
Though love is done, I'm glad to say
I do not mope, my dear;
I go about my tasks each day
And rarely shed a tear.
I hang the kittens on their pegs
And comb the morning mail,
And sew the buttons on the eggs
And dust the gingerale.
I rake and water down the rug
And then I take a walk;
And if I meet a fireplug,
I stand a while and talk.
O, I am busy all day through
For which I'm very glad,
For otherwise I'd think of you,
My darling, and go mad.
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