The Mermaid's Kiss

         THE MERMAID'S KISS

         Hopelessness can drown a soul
         Lost upon life's ocean-
         Seduce the young and old alike,
         Cultivate devotion.

         Beneath the surface something stirs
         The mermaid finds her prey,
         Wraps fingers round a broken heart
         And steals it's joy away.

         With poisoned lips her loveless kiss
         Can offer sweet salvation.
         Those too weak to resist her charms
         Cede to her temptation.

         In her embrace they are dragged down
         Away from caring eyes,
         Into the darkness far below
         Her lonely bed of lies.

         No longer will they hear the sounds
         From the world without,
         Or feel the warmth that they once knew
         Before they learned to doubt.

         Cold creeps at last into their bones
         And they grow short of breath.
         Release is sought from painful life -
         The peace that's found in death.