A Mermaid's Tail (Tale)
![A Mermaid's Tale](amermaid.jpg)
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.
![fish](fish1.gif)
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.
![Happy Valentine's Day](flowerdiv.gif)
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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