THE MERMAID AND THE BOATMAN - Part 5

WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name that the magician gave the mermaid.  Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter.  Only one guess per person allowed.   Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com  Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names  will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner.  Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry. 

Realizing only two more guesses were available, this could well be their last evening they would spend together,  the sailorman knew he had to be alone for at least a little while so he could get control of his emotions; he needed to have a clear head to solve the sorcerer’s spell.  He'd discovered that sometimes when he slept and his mind drifted to the world of dreams, some of the problems that bothered him or questions that needed solving were often divulged  by the time he awoke.  So far, regarding this particular peril of trying to solve the mermaid’s name, nothing notable had surfaced.  Names and more names kept revolving around inside his head; so many names to choose from but not one of them stood out.  Deciding not to think about the dilemma, attempting to wash his mind clear; the sailorman began strolling along the beach and concentrating on searching for treasures that may have washed ashore during the night.

Finding nothing of interest laying on the beach or lodged between some rocks, the sailorman picked up a small stick and threw it into the sea.  No sooner did the stick strike the surface; Misty was exuberantly swimming after it.  He watched the excited little dog as she gleefully chomped down on the stick and brought it back to the sandy shore.  Tossing the stick at the sailorman's feet, she looked up at him and commenced barking loudly, begging him to throw it back into the water so she could retrieve it once again.  Besides playing ball inside the boat, chasing pinecones the sailorman kicked along the forest trail, retrieving sticks from the sea was another of her favorite games.  As he reached for the stick, Misty tried snatching it back, but he was too fast for her.  As she leaped into the air trying to regain her prize, he threw it back into the sea.  After repeating the same routine several times, seeing the little dog was beginning to tire, he resumed their walk, much to Misty’s indignation.

The mermaid was sitting on a rock covered with seaweed, her fishtail hidden beneath the waves when the boatman and Misty returned to the dinghy.  Unable to see her tail beneath the water, he was thinking how beautiful she looked; just like a normal woman.  Crossing his fingers tightly, he prayed this evening’s name would be the correct choice.   Forcing a smile, so afraid he would lose her soon he waved.  Smiling and waving back she cheerfully said, “You were gone for a long time; don’t you know it’s bad manners to keep a lady waiting.”

Shoving off, the dinghy’s bow easily parting the waves, the sailorman watched the mermaid dive into the sea, moments later surfacing alongside.  

The mermaid was about to yell, "Race you to the sailboat!" until she noticed how despondent the sailorman looked as he rowed the dinghy.   So instead she said, “You look beat.  How about just lying back in the boat and I'll tow you home?” 

After thinking about it for a few moments the sailorman said, “Yeah.  That would be great!  I don't know why but I feel really tired.”  Tossing her the rope attached to the bow of the dinghy, he sprawled out as best as he was able, the perpetual movement of the sea soon lulling him to sleep. 

When the sailorman awoke a little while later, rubbing the deep sleep out of his eyes with his hands, he realized he was still lying in the dinghy, except now it was tied to the sailboat.  Misty was looking down at him from the deck and so was the mermaid.  She was smiling; her face radiant and glowing with love.

After a light dinner, the sailorman and the mermaid sat quietly side by side on the deck.  As they watched the sun disappear below the watery horizon, Misty slept below on the galley settee.  The mermaid's head was resting on the sailorman's shoulder, their hands entwined; enjoying the peacefulness of the lapping waves, the approaching night and their closeness.  Words were not needed; such were their feelings.  As darkness descended, the first evening star appearing, the mermaid pointed at it excitedly exclaiming, “Look!  The first star!  Now we get to make a wish!”   

The sailorman watched her close her eyes and felt her squeeze his hand tightly as she concentrated on the wish.  He was about to speak when she opened her eyes and said, “Shh!  Don’t you dare ask what I wished for!  If I tell you, it won’t come true, and this wish has to come true; it just has to.”

THE MERMAID AND THE BOATMAN - Part 4

WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name of the mermaid.  Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter.  Only one guess per person allowed.   Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com  Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names  will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner.  Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry. 

 Feeling somewhat downcast the sailorman murmered, “I don't have any real good ideas regarding the name the magician gave you; there are too many choices."  “I have no idea how many times that devilish sorcerer's rhyme has gone through my head, thinking somewhere in his words, he's disguised a clue.  But for the life of me, I couldn't find a hint of any real meaning.  And since he turned you into a mermaid, I've been considering names pertaining to the sea. Also, since I thought mermaids were mythical sea creatures, until I met you, I've considered some of the names they were called.  I've come up with several names but I am reluctant to use any of them - none of them really stand out to me.  And if I am wrong; what then?  I really don't want to lose you.”

Observing the worried and concerned expression on the sailorman’s face, the mermaid squeezed his hand and replied confidentally, “You are my boatman; the boatman I was supposed to meet at the end of my journey.  I have faith in you and am confiident you'll come up with the correct name.  Don't worry, please tell me the name sweet boatman; what's the name you've chosen.”

The sailorman sighed deeply, “When we're lying on the deck like this evening, a slight breeze blowing across our bodies, I sometimes feel your long hair flowing lightly across my face.  It reminds me of a crashing wave hurled against the rocks, the fine, gentle spray feeling much like your hair.  The name I have chosen is…is…I really don't want to say it.”

Taking both the sailorman’s hands in hers, she shut her eyes and smiled, “Come on boatman; don't be afraid; tell me the name you've chosen.”

Squeezing her hands tightly he quietly replied, “Spray.” 

Nothing out of the ordinary occurred, except the two large red gems on the mermaid’s glasses appeared to glow for a moment; perhaps a trick of the eye or the play of moonlight caused by the boat’s motion upon the constantly moving undulating sea.  Looking downwards, he could still see the mermaid's iridescent scales shining in the moon glow; the fish tail, still a prominent part of her body.  A single tear trickled out of the corner of his eye and slowly flowed down his cheek.

The mermaid, noticing the silent tear, evidence of his love for her, kissed him on the forehead and then licked the tear away with the tip of her tongue.

The next morning, at the crack of dawn, the sun not yet peering over the evergrees growing on the island, the sailorman stood on the deck and looked out towards the rocks.  He couldn't see the mermaid but knew she was near; such was their special bond.  Although he already knew which name he would guess when evening arrived, he still needed to take Misty to the island and think some more about his choice because he realized, if this was not her name, only one last chance remained.  It didn’t matter that they were together for a very short time; he felt deep within his core they had been purposely drawn together, seemingly destined for each other.  He couldn’t visualize the mermaid not being an integral part of his life; she was as necessary as the air he breathed.

As the sailorman slowly rowed to the island, he kept scanning the sea’s surface searching for the beautiful mermaid’s head to appear, but all he could see was the occasional small whitecap sparkling in the morning sun.  Nosing the dinghy towards the usual spot, not waiting for it to stop, Misty easily leapt to the shore and immediately began investigating the fresh scents.  After tying the boat to the arbutus tree, he stood for a moment and took one last look out to sea before disappearing into the dense forest. 

THE MERMAID AND THE BOATMAN - Part 3

WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name of the mermaid.  Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter.  Only one guess per person allowed.   Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com  Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names  will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner.  Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry. 

The days seemed to be fuller, now that the sailorman had a woman, at least half a woman in his life.  She even helped out during a storm when the anchor began dragging; she dove down and reset it in a more secure location.  Sometimes, when they knew no other boats were around, she would come aboard the sailboat and lay on the roof of the cabin under the main boom.  Because of her long tail and the distinct aroma of fish, it took a little time for her to gain Misty’s confidence.  She enjoyed petting the friendly little dog but she had not yet touched the man.  She wanted to and sensed that he felt the same, but held back because she was afraid their time together might not be very long.

The boatman (as she affectionately called him) and the mermaid hadn’t discussed his attempting to guess her name but with winter storms approaching before too long, it would soon be time for him to sail south.  However, that wasn’t really a problem, because as long as the boat was anchored in a secluded area, away from prying eyes, she could still be with him as much as it was possible under the circumstances. 

One afternoon, the sailorman, which was somewhat of a daily routine, dove off the sailboat into the chilly water.  The mermaid was there to greet him.  Usually they just chased and splashed one another, much to Misty’s dismay having been left out.  However, this time, instead of keeping his distance, the sailorman reached for her hands and drew her close.  She smiled as he embraced her and said, “I feel our first kiss will be more natural if we are in the water.”  The kiss was just as they both imagined, soft and loving.

That evening under the stars and full moon, the sailorman and the mermaid cuddled on the deck for the first time.  They both spoke at once and laughed.  He was about to speak again, but she pressed her finger against his lips saying, “No.  Me first.”

Brushing a lock of hair away from the sailorman’s eyes, the mermaid softly said,  “Did you know that I had my eye on you right from the first time you heaved the anchor into the bay?  I watched you walking Misty along the seaside, when you went fishing by the rocks and as you were lying on the deck.  I could tell you had a good heart; that you were the one I'd allow to guess my name.  I'd met other sailors over the years but they weren’t satisfied with me as a woman, only thought about the riches of capturing someone as unique as I; they were not my special boatman.  You're not concerned about money or the fact that I am somewhat of a freak, you only care for my well-being.  I know you have to leave here very soon and I want to go with you, not as a mermaid but as your woman.  I've been thinking, since three seems to be something of a magical number to my tragic predicament, I want you to try guessing my name over the next three days.”

The sailorman looked at her, sadness filling his eyes.  “There are millions of names, the chances of my choosing the right one would be an utter miracle.  I've been racking my brains for sometime now trying to come up with a good name.  The only oneI know it isn’t, is Priscilla.  I can't take the chance of guessing your name and losing you forever.  I'd sooner be with you as you are now, part fish, than not at all.  Please don’t ask me to guess your name.”

Bathed in moonlight, the mermaid and the boatman gently touched each other; a lingering kiss followed by another and another expressing their love.  Entwined in each other’s arms, they slept through the night.

In the morning, just before the sailorman took Misty ashore, the mermaid stressed, “Boatman, I want you to think of a name today and tell me this evening.  What will it hurt?  You have three guesses; the first two names you select, if you're wrong, will change nothing; we'll still be together.  Promise me you'll give it some thought anyway.”

Before climbing into the dinghy, the sailorman took her into his arms, kissed her cheek lightly and whispered in her ear, “I promise, I'll give it some thought.”

While walking on the island, the little dog at his heels unconcerned with his predicament, the sailorman arrived at a place he particularly liked.  High on a cliff, the ocean waves crashing far below, off in the distance he could see the sailboat and the white foamy swirls around the rocks where he first met the mermaid.  He never expected to find love here, but sometimes when a person least expects it; love arrives.  And once in love, there are choices to be made, some times very tough decisions, like the one he was facing now.  Should I let her go, be with her friends the dolphins and other sea creatures, perhaps meet another boatman who would willingly guess her name or should I take the plunge, he thought?

The sailorman sat down on a mossy rock and closed his eyes. He could hear the waves below, the birds in the forest and Misty gnawing on a small stick.  Attempting to erase all emotional content, remembering what she had told him about the spell cast upon her, he was thinking any sorcerer worth his salt would give clues.  Why a mermaid; why hadn't he changed her into a rat or a toad and why the possibility of becoming a whole woman again?  There had to be clues!  Perhaps the name pertains to the sea, which seems logical he thought.  Names like Pearl and Coral came to mind but they seemed a little too obvious.

That night, under a starry sky, the sea glittering like diamonds, the mermaid and the boatman held each other.  They could feel the boat being slightly rocked by the waves heading towards the shore, each one bringing them closer to decision time.  He'd been putting off guessing her name, hoping she'd let it pass, but he knew this was just wishful thinking on his part.  Gazing into her eyes, the extraordinary oversized spectacles casting shadows on her cheeks, feeling the warmth of her body next to his, she softly said, “The time has come.  I know you've been thinking very hard about my name today.  I hope you came up with a good one.”

THE MERMAID AND THE BOATMAN - Part 2

WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name of the mermaid.  Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter.  Only one guess per person allowed.   Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com  Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names  will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner.  Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry.  

The sailorman couldn’t believe his eyes; clinging to the side of the dinghy was the most extraordinarily beautiful woman he had ever seen.  As she smiled up at him; hazel eyes mischievously sparkling in the sunlight, her long, curly black hair cascading down across her shoulders framing her roundish face and slightly prominent chin, he couldn’t help noticing she was wearing glasses, the most outlandishly garish pair he had ever seen.   The wide turquoise frames, which extended well past the side of her head were studded with numerous precious jewels and two very large red stones.

“Hello,” he stammered.  “Where did you come from?  Are you from the sailboat over on the other side of the island?”

The woman's eyes never left his as she continued smiling, slowly shaking her head from side to side.      

The sailorman, mesmerized by the woman's beauty and for reasons beyond his realm, felt instantly drawn to her.  Somewhat confused by her silent reply, he asked, “Well if you aren't from that sailboat, are you on another boat that's anchored nearby?” 

Shaking her head again, her sultry voice sounding as smooth as velvet she said,  “I am not from any boat, this is where I live.”

“You mean on the island?  But I have walked its entirety, exploring every nook and cranny; I've never seen a dwelling of any kind.”

Still smiling, brushing aside a curl on her forehead, she teasingly replied, “No, not on the island.  Here – I live right here.”

“That’s impossible!” he quipped.

“I don’t suppose you would believe me, if I told you I was a mermaid.” 

Judging by the smirk on the sailorman’s face, she continued, “I thought not, but it is so.  I was one of many passengers on a large sailing vessel many, many years ago; we were traveling to a far off land to begin new lives.  As the voyage progressed, a young handsome man made amorous advances towards me, eventually asking me to marry him.  I told him it was not possible, that I was going to meet a mystery boatman, fall in love and live happily ever after.  I remember him laughing, an almost villainous expression on his face when he commanded, ‘You sound like some princess out of a fairytale; you will marry no one but me.’   When I refused again, he flew into a rage, spinning on his heels, the long cape he was wearing swirling around, completely engulfing his whole body.  After his tantrum subsided, he pointed his walking stick at my face and said in a very cold and eerie voice, ‘So you won’t marry me; let it be so.’  He laughed again, a most hideous laugh and seemed to go into a trance, drawing circles in the air with his walking stick.  I can still hear his words, ‘Circle once, circle twice, circle thrice and add some spice.  She desires a boatman, not me.  If that is the scenario, then let it be.’  He seemed to be talking in rhymes and at this point I found him very amusing, couldn’t stop myself from laughing at him.  He didn’t seem to care anymore as he ranted on, ‘Her name is Priscilla but never more.  That and other things, I’ve sealed the door.  She thinks she’s a beauty, a real dish.  And you still are, except now, you’re half fish.’  And when he said that, I fell to the deck because my legs were gone, in their place was a long fish tail.  I begged him to stop and make me whole once again, but he only laughed harder at my misery.  He said, ‘Don’t despair, the spell can be broken, but only by your boatman, the one and only boatman, your very special boatman.  To break the spell and turn you back into Priscilla, he will have to guess the name I give you, and he is allowed only three guesses.  And in all fairness my dear, I should mention, if you tell anyone the name I’ve given you, anyone at all or if the boatman doesn’t guess your name in three attempts, you will spend the remainder of your days as a total fish.’  And just before throwing me overboard, he stuck these ridiculously annoying, gem-studded glasses on my nose saying, ‘For your boatman, in case all he really wants is the jewels, he’ll have to take your head because they cannot be removed until the spell is broken.’   So here I am boatman, yours for the taking if you can guess my name.”

The sailorman chuckled, “I love stories and it’s a great story you told me, but you don’t really expect me to believe it do you.  If you're a mermaid, then I’m King Neptune.”

The beautiful woman raised one eyebrow and smiled an impish smile before slipping beneath the sea.  The sailorman waited for her to surface and after some minutes went by, he began to worry.  It wasn’t possible for someone to hold their breath for that long, she must be hiding on the other side of the rocks laughing at me, he thought.  Just then, the reel began to sing, a fish had taken the bait.  Grabbing the rod, he began reeling it in.  Judging by the strength it took to slowly wind up the line, he figured a huge fish; perhaps a halibut had taken the lure.  As his muscles strained on the reel, sweat trickling down his forehead, collecting in his mustache and beard; he could see what looked like a large fish slowly emerging from the murky depths of the sea.  However, he could scarce believe his eyes when the woman’s face suddenly appeared, her hands holding onto the line. 

“You still don’t believe I’m a mermaid, do you?”  And on saying that, disappeared once again beneath the waves.  However, instead of remaining under the water for a long period of time, she exploded from the depths of the sea, instantaneously soaring through the air!   

It’s not possible he thought, but there she was, her beautiful smile, long curly hair covering much of her breasts and voluptuous body – unbelievably converging into a long, flowing fish tail, as much out of place as her outrageous spectacles!  

After swimming around the dinghy, playfully splashing the sailorman for a short while, she returned and looked up at him, her smile melting his unbelief, his utter astonishment. 

“I don’t know what to say.  You…you…you’re actually a mermaid – a real live, living mermaid!  It’s not possible!  But here you are, part human and part fish.” 

She nodded her head.  “Yes.  Afraid so.  I’m a real live mermaid.”

“And I can see by your eyes, that you weren’t kidding; the tale you told me about being turned into a fish, well at least half a fish, was actually the truth.” 

“Yes, I always tell the truth.”

THE MERMAID AND THE BOATMAN

WIN a $25.00 VISA Card by guessing the name of the mermaid.  Only people subscribing to my Newsletter or "followers" are allowed to enter.  Only one guess per person allowed.   Email your guess to dreaminsailorman@hotmail.com  Should there be more than one correct answer, the winner's names  will be put into a hat and the first name drawn is the winner.  Family members are allowed to guess a name too but they are not elegible to win the prize - sorry. 

Near a misty isle in a quiet bay a sailboat slowly swung at anchor, light zephyrs playfully puffing through the stays and shrouds.  Sitting in the cockpit catching the last rays of the setting summer sun was a sailorman and his little dog.  As much as he enjoyed this solitude, the serenity and peacefulness, an almost idyllic setting away from the busy antics of civilization, he missed having a special woman in his life.  Times like this, a loneliness pervaded his being to the very core, making him wonder if he shouldn’t perhaps change his ways somewhat, as he didn’t think his lifestyle was too conducive for most women’s needs.

As he pondered the joys only a woman can give a man, the wind tousling his curly blonde hair clustered about his swarthy countenance, he and the slumbering dog curled alongside him were suddenly startled by a loud splash and a shower of splattering seawater.  The dog, its nape bristling defiantly, leaped to the deck’s edge growling and barking while the sailor quickly turned his head to see what had disturbed the evening’s tranquility.  Judging by the size of the ripples, he knew that whatever had made the splash had to be quite large.  Standing up, shading his dark brown eyes from the setting sun, he scanned the water’s surface surrounding the boat hoping to catch a glimpse of the mystery sea denizen and perhaps identifying it.  Suddenly, another loud splash sounded directly behind them, spraying them once again with seawater!  However, this time, when he quickly turned to investigate the splash, within the bubbly wake, he caught sight of a very large fish tail disappearing into the sea’s shadowy depths.

After a short period of time searching the sea’s calm surface, satisfied with at least the knowledge the fish wasn’t large enough to cause any damage to the boat, the sailor once again sat down.  The little dog, its dark brown eyes shining, tail wagging furiously despite its white hair streaked with seawater, continued circling the deck.  Occasionally stopping to sniff the air, it was still unconvinced that whatever caused the disturbance, remained nearby ready to splash them again should they let their guard down.  However, sensing the returned calmness of his friend, the dog strutted back to the boat’s cockpit and lay down on a cushion, resting its head between its paws.

Watching the blood red sun disappearing below the horizon, as if the sea was slowly swallowing it, his thoughts returned to the memory, the joys and benefits of having a woman in his life.  Although several women had lived onboard his boat over the years, they soon grew dissatisfied with the romantic illusion, going back to their more normal existence, having the comforts of a house, a job’s steady security.  Where are all the adventurous women he wondered, the basic ones without a need for so much, somewhat like himself, society’s self proclaimed outcast.

The brilliant red evening sky faded to golden pinks and lavenders, slowly mingling with night’s approaching indigo speckled with sparkling stars, each wink a joy to behold.  Nature’s beauty never ceased to amaze the silent sailorman as he watched the universe unfurl above him, a masterful creation.  Running his slender fingers through his thick curly hair, he yawned deeply, stood up and stretched.  Taking one last look around, as if expecting another loud splash, he pushed the hatch cover forward and descended down the stairs to the cozy cabin below, the little dog following at his heels.

Early next morning, just as the sun topped the trees, the sailorman gently lowered the dog into the dinghy that was tied alongside the sailboat and then carefully stepped down, untying the simple knots securing it.  The dog sat at the stern as he slipped the oars into the oarlocks and pushed away, rowing towards a nearby island to begin their usual walk along the beach and deer trail winding through the forest.  A slight breeze blew out of the northwest and the sun shone warmly on his back as the oars dipped into the sea, stroke after stroke, drawing them constantly nearer to the shore.  When the boat was about to run aground, the little dog jumped down from its seat at the back of the boat, ducked under his arm and positioned herself at the bow, its tail furiously wagging in anticipation.  When the boat touched the sandy shore, the dog leaped off the dinghy and began inquisitively sniffing the soggy terrain and tall grasses growing on the beach.

After lashing the dinghy to the smooth red trunk of an arbutus tree angling out just above the sea’s surface, the sailorman pushed through the undergrowth and climbed a short distance to a trail that skirted the sandy beach.  Noticing the dog was no where to be seen, he called her name, “Misty.”  Beneath the green, leafy salal shrubs he could see a white streak rushing towards him.  As he waited for her, he looked out at his boat gently rocking with the tide.  He felt good to be alive, enjoying the pungent damp odor of the rainforest, the rustling sounds of leaves and the music of tiny songsters flitting through the trees.  Early morning was the best time of day to him, the awakening of life, like being born again. 

As they meandered through the forest, the sailorman kicked at some of the pinecones strewn along the path, Misty happily retrieving them.  The feisty little dog would occasionally chase a deer if they suddenly came across one, but even a small red-breasted robin, should the bird stand its ground, was safe from harm, such was her gentle nature.  Upon reaching a meadow covered with an abundance of colourful wildflowers and tall slender grasses swaying in the breeze overlooking the sea, he noticed a sailboat anchored in the cove that hadn’t been there the previous day.  Several people could be seen relaxing on deck, most likely enjoying their morning coffee.  He casually waved to them as he passed by, before vanishing once again into the verdant forest. 

About an hour into the walk, they reached the other side of the island, the sandy beach still wet and glistening in the morning sunshine.  The sailorman leisurely combed the shoreline searching for small treasures that may have floated in with the tide and became trapped between the many rocks and tangled driftwood littering the beach.  Not finding anything of interest, he and the little dog headed back into the forest and cut across the centre of the island, soon returning where they began, the dinghy, now high and dry because of the falling tide.  After dragging and pushing the boat a short distance to the sea’s edge, Misty leapt into the bow, quickly followed by the sailor.  While rowing back to the sailboat, he decided to get his fishing gear and jig for cod off a group of rocky islets situated a little further out to sea.

Since it was going to be a hot day, the sailorman left Misty behind to escape the heat.  He watched her running back and forth along the deck wanting to join him as he rowed towards the tiny islands.  As much as he didn’t like to leave her behind, he knew she would soon settle down, curl up in the shade and snooze until his return.  He enjoyed the roll of the undulating sea as he rowed, seagulls soaring and dipping overhead, not a cloud in the sky.  Before long, the sound of breaking waves told him the rocky obstacles were very near.  Looking over his shoulder, he maneuvered the dinghy to the lea side of the largest islet jutting out of the blue-green sea.  The only notable sign of life on its rocky brow was a small bent and twisted tree which had been formed by the unrelenting wind.  

Upon reaching the desired location, the sailorman deftly attached a lure, shaped somewhat like a tiny fish, to the fishing line.  Carefully tossing the hook over the side, listening to the whir of the reel, he watched it quickly vanish until it hit bottom.  While adjusting the line to the desired depth, the boat suddenly dipped down on an erratic angle almost upsetting him.  “What the…!” he exclaimed.

To be continued...

POSSIBLE NEW CONTEST - Anyone interested?

I'm considering having another contest with a $25.00 Visa Card Prize.  Instead of guessing who the murderer was like the last contest, you have to guess the Mermaid's name in The Mermaid and the Boatman, a short story I wrote some time ago.  The same rules will apply as the first contest - only one guess per person and only the people who join my Newsletter are eligible; except for family members - I don't think anyone would figure the contest was very honest if my wife or kids won - so they aren't eligible.  Let me know via Blog, email or Face Book if you would like to read the story and participate in the contest.  Cheers - eh!

WILL SHE OR WON'T SHE

Will She or Won't She

           A mermaid is a supernatural, legendary vixen of the sea.  The upper portion of the body consists of a beautiful woman and the lower portion is that of a fish.  Traditionally, mermaids, besides being very beautiful, also had melodious voices, which was a definite turn on to a bunch of scruffy sailors jammed together for long periods of time at sea without any female companions; it's no wonder they ran their ships into the rocks trying to reach one of those gorgeous sirens.  No one seems to know how they came into existence; sort of like the chicken and the egg; which came first, the woman or the fish?  And, what if the top portion had been a fish rather than a woman - I wonder how many sailors would have been interested in listening to a fish croon, "I'm forever blowing bubbles."

          Undoubtedly mesmerized by the mermaid's long brilliant red hair, rosy red cheeks and ruby lips, not to mention her voluptuous, enormous breasts, the captain of the Macho has unwittingly allowed the mermaid to tie a line to his ship.  Because of his suave good looks, he imagines himselft to be irrisistable, a real lady killer - if he only knew!  Instead of holding a bottle of wine and posies in his hand to woo the mermaid, he should be clasping a sword so he can sever the line because Will She or Won't She destroy his ship by whipping it into the ominous moon?

          The clown fish isn't concerned about the captain's fate; just figures he's another clown that's been captivated and must have forgotten or perhaps been overly smitten, beguiled and enamored by the sensual womanly attributes displayed before him that he's failed to realize women have most men wrapped around their little fingers. 

          The mermaid depicted in Will She or Won't She is a characterization of my wife Sarah.  And like the captain; on our first date, I showed up with a huge bottle of red wine (skipped the flowers) and boy, did we have fun!

          Not sure how many people are interested in mermaids but if you've already read this far, you might be interested in reading a poem I wrote, which was based on a true story that I'd heard about while living on my sailboat.  And then again, perhaps like fishermen; sailors have long tales to tell as well.  However, as the story goes, the owner of a small sailboat was in need of a person to help sail his boat to Hawaii and he put the word out.  A seasoned sailor agreed to go with him most of the way, which seemed unusual, since there are no islands between Vancouver Island and Hawaii.  As their voyage progressed the sailor told the captain that they were nearing his destination and he would have to leave soon - he was going to marry a dolphin.  The captain thought he was of course joking.  However, after waking up after taking a nap one afternoon, when he came up on deck, the sailor had vanished.  Since there was barely any wind, the sailboat was just poking along, if the sailor had fallen overboard, he could easily have climbed back on.  Either he drowned in the middle of the Pacific Ocean searching for his beloved dolphin or he married one - perhaps that's how mermaids are created.

The Siren and the Sailor

Har!  C'me 'ere and set a spell,
'Cause this old salty dog o' the sea
Has a yarn to spin, a tale to tell
That'll keep yuh in awe and ecstasy.

'Twas a clear night such as this,
A sliver of a moon in the sky,
The sea as flat as a plate of piss;
That I heard a maiden's melancholy cry.

At first I thought it a trick,
A light breeze through the riggin' and sails;
So I gives meself a good hard kick,
But I 'ears it again, 'er mournful wails.

It sounds as if she's cryin'
Alone, adrift on the endless sea;
A castaway on a raft dyin'
'Til I hears 'er voice call clear to me.

I squinted through the darkness
Across the star reflected sea;
I'll be blow'd!  For off in the blarkness
Stood an isle and its maid o' mystery!

Voice as soft as an angel's,
She hallooed out to me by name.
Agin me logic, agin me will,
I steered the boat closer to test 'er game.

I could scarce believe me e'e!
She sat stark naked on a rock;
Smilin', 'er long arms outstretched to me
Beckonin', "come ashore an' 'ave a wee talk."

Tell me.  Do I look like a fool?
On second thought, don't answer that;
Not 'til on the tale I've thrown more fuel,
Don't make y'ur final rule on this chat.

I ached for those slender arms,
Her coquettish smile of desire;
To be enveloped within her charms;
Set my body, my very soul afire!

She promised love ever more;
Days of laughter, nights of pleasure;
Even marriage by the seashore,
One I could trust an' forever more treasure.

As the vessel neared the shore
Close to imminent disaster,
A silent voice deep within my core
Said, "Wait!  What's the rush?  Y'ur still the master!"

Turnin' 'er hard back on course
I yelled, "One day, I will return!"
Instantly overcome with remorse,
I never chanced a look back o'er the stern.

In the darkness of the night
I heered 'er melancholy plea.
"Oh sailor, sailor, why take flight?
I'll always love you.  Please come back to me."

Those words, "I'll always love you."
Have haunted me o'er the years;
"Please come back to me."  Tis sad but true,
I gave up love in search of other spheres.

The captain looked mad to me,
Quite completely out of his realm;
As he stood starin' 'cross the sea,
One hand o'er his eyes, t' other at the helm.

He was dressed in tux an' tails,
A silken scarf about his throat,
His starched shirt gleamin' white as the sails
Flapped loosely in the breeze below his coat.

For awhile he was silent,
And then, almost in a whisper,
"Mate!  Do you hear that soulful lament?
There!  There!  Now it sounds a little crisper.

Listen!  She's callin' me name.
Step lively mate!  Take holt this spoke!"
No sooner did I grab hold the same,
He was over the side doin' the stroke.

As he swam away he said,
"If yuh want the longytude,
It's under the pillow on me bed
Written side b' side with the lattytude."

"Hah!  As if I'd come back here.
This place is a source of madness.
But wait!  What's that sound, that lilt I hear?
Can it be my name, sung with such sadness?"