dVerse Prosery Monday — Return

“A Crowned Merman” by Arthur Rackham (1867-1939)

Lips forget what they have kissed.
–Toni Morrison, from, “Eve Remembering

Return

For a month, each night Mara dreams of him there, her Robert, whom she believed was invincible, swaying in yellow-green sea amongst sargasso, eyes wide. Each morning, she lights incense and kneels at the shrine she built after he was lost. She prays he’ll return, rescued by a passing vessel; that he’s on his way home.

Tonight Mara’s dream includes a silvery half-fish, half-man, whirling around Robert in the sargasso, holding a pearl. The merman whispers, “Come to me at full moon.”

High in the sky, the pearlescent disk lights Mara’s way to a petroglyphed boulder at water’s edge. She smells pungent, rotting organic matter as the creature speaks. Its bright green eyes pull her close. “One kiss is all I ask to return your sailor to you.” The kiss lasts until dawn.

Lips forget what they have kissed. She rubs her round belly.

[144 words]

Mish is today’s host of dVerse’ Prosery Monday. Mish wants us to write a 144-word story using the top line of poetry.

6 Comments Add yours

  1. That was so magical… those dreams seems to be close to being real… or not

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks, Bjorn. A question that may or may not be answered (thinking of Grace’s upcoming prompt)

      Like

  2. kim881's avatar kim881 says:

    I love a mer-person story, Lisa, and Arthur Rackham’s picture – and how a dream becomes a reality! This description is so evocative: “High in the sky, the pearlescent disk lights Mara’s way to a petroglyphed boulder at water’s edge. She smells pungent, rotting organic matter…”

    Liked by 2 people

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Kim, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the story and the image.

      Like

  3. Mish's avatar Mish says:

    Ooooh my! I love the mystical imagery here. A very imaginative tale and I think she received more than a kiss.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Lisa or Li's avatar Lisa or Li says:

      Thanks much, Mish :)

      Like

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