Skip to main content

M is for Merfolk.....

Since man first set sail across the oceans, there have been tales of Merfolk--- or, more specifically, Mermaids. I mean, what man wouldn't hallucinate a beautiful woman when he is sick with scurvy and miles from home--- who wouldn't want a bit of comfort on the lonely sea?

Mermaids are often associated with Sirens from Greek Mythology. Though, the first known stories appeared in ancient Assyria where it is said the goddess Atargatis turned herself into a mermaid after accidentally killing her human lover. Guilt-ridden by what she had done, she dove into the sea to take the form of a fish, but, the waters refused to hide her beauty--- her divine visage remained, while her lower half took the fish-form she had cursed herself with.

I suppose it's from this myth that Mermaids were often connected with sea tragedy--- drownings, storms and shipwrecks. Though, there are still a few traditions that depict the Mermaids as good--- benevolent creatures that can and do fall in love with humans.

The Biological order, Sirenia, (dugongs and manatees)-- takes its name from the Siren legend as it is the
belief of some that the ancient sea-explorers often mistook these aquatic mammals for Mermaids.

While Mermaids are known for their beauty, Mermen, on the other hand, are often depicted as anything other than beautiful. There are a few myths, specifically Finnish myths, where Mermen are handsome and bearded men with fish-tails who can cure illness. But, both Greek and Irish mythologies depict Mermen as grotesque with green hair. The Irish descriptions also include, a red nose, pointed green teeth and pig eyes. Is it any wonder the legends of Mermaids falling in love with human men exists?






With Sea-Swept Sighs

There's a peace that comes with the savage sea,
a stillness raking 'cross the cresting waves.
It's in this peace you're yearning heart is apt to find,
a bit of home to lift your dreary day.

With locks of gold and songs to break a Siren's heart,
the ethereal beauty finds her way to you.
Just a glimpse is all she'll give and all you'll ever hold,
 look not away or you'll think your dream untrue.

Your ship will sail the seas, from home and back again,
the perils that you find enough to still your heart.
But, one fleeting glance from a Mermaid's smile,
is all the treasure you'll wish for as your paths part.

                                                                                                                 ---e.a.s. demers

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Share your thoughts!

Popular posts from this blog

Bitter Honey

Weaving dreams of beguiling gold, a future's price for happiness. What secrets do you, determined, hold? asks the summer wind's soft caress. A guarded name, a hidden hope. Spinning wheels clutching time, grasping straw that falls away, What dreams may come, we soon may find, won't recall at end of day. A cherished life, a memory lost.
18 comments
Read more

A-Z Reflections, year 4....

A-Z blogging challenge for 2014 has come and gone, seemingly without my realizing it. And, though I fell behind once or twice toward the end, I finished this year's challenge right on time. Really, I can't believe it's already over. I feel like I just finished my post for letter A... Year 4, for this blogger, was a far cry from the tortured state of despondency that was most of  Year 3 -- I'll not mention the irony of this year's focus on death being easier to blog about than last year's foray into supernatural creatures, we'll leave that for my therapy sessions *ahem* As always, A-Z brought with it, not only 26 days of unbridled and far-reaching knowledge (disguised as entertaining and thought-provoking blog-posts), but a chance to connect with new faces while reconnecting with familiar faces--who had perhaps drifted away--from A-Z's past.  I am always amazed by the ingenuity and inspiration that comes from lumping a couple thousand folk...
12 comments
Read more

A to Z reflections....

Another A to Z challenge comes to an end--- another collection of posts and poetry have been written, another deep breath of relief is released. For my fellow bloggers that survived as well, it's another 'challenge-completed' notch carved into the writing desk. I've come to enjoy my yearly foray into the world of all things alphabetical. This was my third year, though it was only the second year I had a workable theme (which made the challenge substantially easier than the first year I attempted this challenge.) And, though my first year was difficult because my focus was so scattered, I found this year was more  difficult because I lost the enthusiasm that came with the first year excitement----excitement which helped me plug along until the end of the challenge. Year 3 was a success in the sense that I completed the challenge, though, this was the year that almost wasn't---- Somewhere about a third of the way through the challenge, I seriously considered...
27 comments
Read more