If I were a mermaid I would travel from sea to sea, stopping
in each continent, exploring it like I would explore another world. In the
Mediterranean I would enjoy the sun, the smell of exotic fruits and spices. In
Australia I would glide over the reef, surprising small colourful fish. I would
spend hours underwater enjoying the colours, the pearly iridescent whites, the
swirling greens, the soft pink of a seashell and the countless shades of blue
as pale or deep as the sky. I would rise out of the water, among the waves that
crash like galloping white horses. I would lie still in slow currents,
drifting, dragging my fingers in the sand, the currents sliding over my skin
like ribbons. I would find a place among the sea turtles and rest on their
broad warm shells. I would play with the dolphins, laughing and expelling
bubbles from my mouth. I would reach the depths of the ocean and explore the
vast grand kingdom of Atlantis, the ruins of majestic spires and towers and overgrown
gardens of sea lavender. I would swim to the arctic oceans, circling the
icebergs, watching the sun glint off the ice and pass through in hazy canyons
that pierce the frozen water. I would turn and find myself face to face with
the ice bears, their massive claws and big black eyes. I would climb the
underwater volcanoes, run my hands on the dark rock, feeling the red heat
flowing and rushing within it. I wonder if, being underwater so long, I would
admire the sun? Would I be fascinated by the colours of a fire, watching the
flames and sparks that light up dark nights, from afar? Would I begin to become
captivated by embers and coals, the smoky ruby prisms? What of the moon, would
the silver patterns of light on the water’s surface entrance me? The green grey
tint on night clouds and white orb keeping me above the waves long after I’ve
gotten tired. If I lived in a world of blue and green and wet, would I want the
feel of warm dry sand, trees that grow on mountainsides instead of mangroves?
Like a princess who gazes out the window of her tower, daydreaming of running
away and tasting new things. Would I close my eyes and imagine the smell of
ripe apples by a hot meadow, the blinding pink light of cherry blossoms dappled
with sunshine, the nectar yellow of leaves falling as trees bend in an autumn
wind? If not, if I did not yearn for a world I was a part of, what would I fill
my days with? I could sing tragic, mournful, beautiful songs and lead sailors
to their death. I could pick my way through riches and treasure in sunken
ships, amid watery graves, skeletons sleeping in caverns too deep for their
bones to be bleached by the sun. I could have a sweet face, masking fatal
intentions that are the ending of so many. Perhaps I would desire to lure
someone or something, without bringing them harm, without being the cause of
pain. I would want something else, something different. As everyone does.
Art by Kagaya
Text by Lucie MacAulay
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