The Siren’s Song

Intent, not content, she sat back and studied the horizon. Nothing in sight.

But she realized, there never had been.

She always charted her own course using the sense that served her best—and it wasn’t sight. But now she must employ sight, with a strength of mind that she had not ever had to reach for. And it was then that the spark sprang to her eye.

She looked where she knew she must. Down. Deep into the depths of the sea. She looked hard. And then she dived in, leaving the life raft to the mercy of the waves. Alone in the sea, she moved more freely and quickly. She was no longer held back by the burden of the pseudo-safety in the life raft. Stroke by stroke she reengaged in her pursuit.

And so the Sun, the Wind and the Rain smiled with wicked delight in anticipation.

——-

She swam the sea in search of conquest. So she passed land. And on she swam.

The waves lifted her high and gave her momentum; they tossed her over and sank her under their might; they pushed her on and in the next minute pulled her down. Up and down, forward and back. She fought on always hoping for the next high, but more and more finding herself plunging down into the deep.

She was drowning. And the thought both angered and depressed her. She must decide on another course. The conquest would have to wait.

She saw shore and knew she must aim for it. As she neared, the currents threatened to drag her under. The sea did not want her out of it’s grasp. It pulled on her legs; it wrapped around her waist and it tugged her mightily. She could feel her heart about to explode; her lungs burned; tears sprang to her eyes.

Never had she felt such pain. Yet she knew she must reach shore.

The Sun, the Wind and the Rain looked on, never wavering in their faith in her.

Finally, she reached the shore. And weary though she was, she stood feeling the strength of her legs more powerfully than she had in a long time. She welcomed the strength and embraced it silently. She closed her eyes and stood alone with the Sun beating down to warm and dry her, the Wind blowing tropical breezes to hold her still and the Rain falling in the distance finally lulling her to sleep.

As she slept, the sea decided on one more attempt to weaken the captain’s power for good. Just off shore on an outcropping of rock a siren sat waiting for her to wake. Seeing her lift her head, he began his song…

“The love you are seeking,
there is no such thing.
It’s a cage that will confine you.
Cut your flight. Feel it sting.
It’s a story to make you wander.
You’re better off to stay.
You’ll never find it
Though you search night and day.
You’re nothing but a silly girl
With dreams in your head.
You’re better off settling.
No, you’re better off dead
Than caught in the dream
You have in your head.
No man will want you
To have and to hold
Through autumn and spring
Summer and cold.
Love is a trick
Meant to trap you. You hear?
You’re better alone.
You’ll be happier, my dear.
Heed my warning.
I sing it clear.
I will sing it gently
If it’s easier to bear.”

The siren sang long into the day. And the captain stood and listened on the beach.

Then she turned and walked away, into the woods and out of the song’s reach.

It was time to build a boat.