By Yasen Vedrin
(A Motley Palette)
A legend whispered from a shell to me
About the moonbeams born of love and light.
A tale so innocent, so pure and free,
That I am ready to whisper it in rhyme tonight.
In ancient times, the sea was wild and grim,
With rolling waves that brought out death and fear.
Its waters could not shine, its view was dim,
And darkness swallowed all its days and cheer.
But rumors started of a magic spell.
A heavy curse that came from greed of old.
The sea would calm down, if it found to dwell
A single sign of love, more pure than gold.
Pirates and sailors didn't trust a word
Of what was whispered even by the gale,
Yet still in barrels, away from being heard,
They piled up the metal, bright and pale.
But look – upon a ship by chance delayed,
A traveler climbed, so humble, quiet, and meek.
Despaired by heavy life and choices made,
He chose an unconquered shore to look and seek.
He was not rich. He only held inside
A red notebook with verses good and grand.
A little bag across his shoulder tied,
And for the ticket – all the coins in hand.
Thus sailed the ship amidst the heavy tide,
The blowing wind had filled the canvas white.
The heavy clouds began the stars to hide,
And ocean shadows grabbed it in the night.
And look, the sea began to roar and swell.
The curse was lurking, hidden everywhere.
With heavy waves inside the rooms it fell,
And struck the helpless poet with despair.
“The life is done!” – the man had softly said –
“I found no love! Good luck was never mine!
If I am meant to drown – let waves ahead
Cover me up, I am accursed this time!”
The sailors drowned and vanished without trace,
Drunk from the heavy grog they liked to sip.
The poet sighed his final tear of grace,
And leaped into the dark waves from the ship.
A magic spell it was or just a song,
But at the bottom he beheld a maid.
An angel-face, a messenger so strong,
Deep in the cold and fearsome depths displayed.
With her own hands she lifted him above,
And looked at him with fairy, dreaming eyes.
He could not speak a single word of love,
Except to watch in silence and surprise.
His life returned, not lost into the deep.
He breathed again upon a lonely strand.
Looked at the mermaid, falling in love so deep.
Her face – a moon in darkness of the land.
He gave the book and told her, soft and low:
“My only savior, you are all I see!
The waters drowned the others long ago.
Take in return the dreams that live in me!
My heart is there, in gentle words displayed!
And every joy I didn't live to view!
I’d follow you in waters with no shade,
And in this flash, I vow myself to you!”
The ocean and its waves grew calm and still.
Amidst the clouds, the moon began to rise.
A magic beam shot down with all its will
Into the stranger’s and the woman’s eyes.
They touched their hands, so softly, on the crest,
They started walking o’er the ocean floor…
The moonlit path reminds us of the best –
A beautiful love, a miracle from before.
Come you as well into the story blue.
A poet waits for you and grieves inside.
Whispered by ancient shells, the legend's true...
Perhaps it is! Along the rising tide.
