Siren's Call

Cold ocean waves caressed the stern.
The boat rocked gently within its fold.
The sun was warm upon my aching back.
I was at peace, and then they came.
I was all around-surrounded
by their gray and shiny fins.
Sleek bodies bobbed and spun,
bubbled at me, and beckoned.
Dark-brown, glossy eyes stared,
peering sideways, invitingly.
My hands upon the boat's rim gripped.
A terrible yearning to plunge within
their liquidy world confronted me.
They called out in haunted voices.
My fingers grew numb,
such was their hold and mine.
I watched them dance
a tail-glide across the surface.
Then, saddened by my curious rejection
they dived beneath the liquid dew.
One last glimmer flashed a beckon,
a ship's distance from my eyes.
I pried my stiffened fingers
from their cowardly bone-hard grip.
I pulled up anchor and departed,
once more alone in my human world.