Daring Names : Heroic Ballads

Lorelei (Part 2)

(Let us return to the time you first met Lorelei. Here you are at midnight sinking in the dark river. A glowing whirlpool is spinning right in front of you.)

I've been under dark water for so long

By now my lungs are screaming for air!

But I fear the swirling blue whirlpool

Too much to really care.

The blue light of this spinning water

Is the most enchanting thing I have ever seen

I feel as if I should stop fighting it's pull

Just drift into it although I still think clearly and my senses are keen.

When my body floats close enough

The glowing whirlpool sucks me in!

These mermaid legends had better be true

Because my patience and air supply are growing thin!

All I see is rushing water and streams of blue light

I feel my body rapidly flips and spins in the strong current

I can not tell which way is up, left, or right!

Finally, I crash into what feels like a pile of wet sand.

My nauseous head coughs out water

Then I realize I'm breathing air on wet land!

The siren's song is louder than it has ever been!

I now see that I've landed in the center of the whirlpool

As I rub off the grains of moist sand from my chin.

From inside the spinning water seems to form a glowing blue tower

I look around to find the source of this aquatic power.

The mermaid is sitting there with her face turned away!

Sand glitters her sapphire scales

And her skin glistens like water in the light of day.

Her upper body is covered with some ripped black clothing

It looks like it was once a dress since the fabric is long

She doesn't seem to notice me as she sings her sad heart song.

Around her I see pale sea foam colored lilies

Remembering I came for this flower

And not the mystical river maiden I feel silly.

But as I reach down for the lily I hope to pluck

The siren's heartbroken melody also has my heart struck!

I know the fisher people warned me she is something to fear

But I feel sorry for her anyway

And use my hand to gently wipe away her tears.

Suddenly the flowers vanish and the mermaid's tail is covered with mist!

The swirling whirlpool walls begin to slow down

The bluish glow of the water quickly fades and desists!

In an instant our small pocket of air is flooded with cold water as black as ink

This time I just try to float upwards

There is no more strong current to make me sink.

Eventually I reach the river surface, now lit with moonlight

But still full of mystery.

I see the mermaid sitting on a large rock

But now she has two legs and is smiling at me!

"Thank you dear adventurer" she says

"For finally breaking the curse"

"I hope to now save others like you"

"Instead of bringing ships a fate they fear worst."

"I'm sure you've heard the legend"

"Of a cursed maiden who is half fish"

"How once a full moon her tears water lilies that grant any wish"

"I sense you came here wanting something else"

"Perhaps to be granted a quick return home."

"But instead your kind heart wished that I no longer suffer alone."

Although disappointed that I wasted my chance

I remember that at least the wish did something good all the same.

And before swimming back to shore

I ask the mermaid "What is your name?"

She answers "It does not matter what my name once was"

"For years they have called me Lorelei"

"The deadly voice below the watery grave"

"The cold mistress of river and sea."

(What do you think of Lorelei or her backstory? Please vote/comment if you enjoyed this poem and/or the music.)

Dedicated to A_scarred_grace