Mermaid's Lament

Sofia Tyzes

I was walking along the road to Kilkee
When I spied a maid with ribbons in her hair
She looked at me with sorrowful eyes
And she told me her tale of despair

My love from whom my bosom torn
Now dwells within Poseidon's realm
Dragged into that murky land
By the maid, the maid of the sea.

She held within her lily white hand
A spear weathered with age
"This spear," she said, "I carry hence
To kill that horrid maid."

"My Liam was a bonny lad
Brave and sure and true
We were to wed upon the green
The 20th of June."

"He went out fishing on the sea
To feed his hungry family.
She loved my bonny Liam fair
That hag, the hag of the sea."

The maid, she turned and walked away
Her step was firm and sure.
I watched her walk toward the sea
Ribbons dancing in her hair.

My business kept me on the road
For months, hear half a year.
At last I went back to Kilkee
And thought of maid so pure.

I asked the fate of that fair lass
Of wizened man inside the Inn.
He filled our mugs with golden mead
And shook his silver head.

I know the lass whereof you speak
He told me quietly.
My son was there he saw it all
As she went into the sea.

She called out to the mighty sea
A challenge to her foe
Striding into the briny waves
To the realm below.

No more was seen of maiden sweet
Her fate remains a mystery.
Her broken spear was washed ashore
On the beach of sad Kilkee.

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