MERMAID OR MERLOT?©2006 Marsh Brodeur           

One night, a full moon, down by my lagoon I crept
While the island slept
So they would not see me
Looking for folklore you see
I swear, the night before I saw her there rising from the sea
Like an angel sent here just for me

Last night, after my gig I bought some wine
I walked the beach and I felt fine
And then I saw a vision so sweet to behold
In the water, shimmering from a moon of gold
A creature of beauty arose from the sea for a short while
Wearing nothing but a smile

Then I rubbed my eyes in disbelief
As she swam out there above the reef
And slid up on the sand
I wanted to offer my hand
In help there among the kelp and snails
Those eyes, that hair, those lips, that… tail

I was in love, I knew it then
Not like before, this was a Zen thing
I knew that it was time
To make my move, to make her mine
But as I got down to the lagoon
She raised her face up to the moon
And sang a song that tore my poor heart out
And that’s when I passed out

When I awoke I slowly cleared my head
Then I went home and went to bed
Perchance to dream
About my salty beauty queen
And how we’d live down there
Beneath the sea, y’know, without the air

Bad plan, that could fail could mean my death
No wait, like a whale I’d hold my breath
Until my face turned blue
That would be such a groovy thing to do
Because, unless I fail
My face would match her tail
And we would live forever more
Having offspring by the score

OK ok fine
Perhaps it was the wine
Then why do I still find myself
On nights of a full moon
Practicing to hold my breath
On the beach
Wearing just a smile
Down by my lagoon
Down by my lagoon
Down by my lagoon