You have reached a quiet bamboo grove, where you will find an eclectic mix of nature, music, writing, and other creative arts. Tao-Talk is curated by a philosophical daoist who has thrown the net away.
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.
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…”
You have created a magical tale with such a shocking ending. Now I’m wondering – will Robert finally come home and what is her baby going to look like?!
Tao Talk 
That was so magical… those dreams seems to be close to being real… or not
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Thanks, Bjorn. A question that may or may not be answered (thinking of Grace’s upcoming prompt)
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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…”
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Kim, thanks so much, glad you enjoyed the story and the image.
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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Ooooh my! I love the mystical imagery here. A very imaginative tale and I think she received more than a kiss.
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Thanks much, Mish :)
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Wow, that’s quite the ending… very mysterious! The music adds to that element, too. Nice one, Lisa!
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Steve thanks for reading and your thoughts on the story and the music.
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You’re welcome, Lisa.
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A magic gift in many ways…(K)
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<3 K, I knew you would understand the gift.
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pearlescent …
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:)
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I got lost in the music you linked and your imagery! Dreamy and awesome! Loved it!
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Cara, so pleased you enjoyed my offering.
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Gorgeous and evocative, Lisa. We get as enraptured in the tale as she did.
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Dale, merci beaucoup (sp?) Happy to have enraptured you.
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Oui, Madame. Parfait ;-)
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the longest kiss. The roundest belly. Oh my. I wasn’t ready for that. Lovely. Thanks
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Thanks so much, Selma <3
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A very creative story, Lisa. It will be interesting to see what comes out…a man or a fish!! :>) Well done.
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Dwight, thanks. It is a mystery that will continue to unfold.
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You are very welcome.
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This is magical, stunning, intruhing.
Thanks for dropping by my blog, Lisa
much love
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Gillena, so happy you enjoyed the story <3 You are welcome for my dropping by your blog; always a pleasure.
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Oooh I like this very much Li, so magical and mysterious very much like a Selkie legend from Scotland
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Di, that’s what I was going for. So many marvelous mysterious Celtic legends! I guess you could call my story fan-fic :)
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This poem has a mysterious and haunting feel to it. It sets up a fascinating speculation on what happens next
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Sean, thanks so much, and appreciate your feedback on it.
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Very interesting story Li.
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Thanks, Sadje :)
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You’re always welcome my dear friend
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You have created a magical tale with such a shocking ending. Now I’m wondering – will Robert finally come home and what is her baby going to look like?!
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Lisa, thank you so much and glad you enjoyed the story. I’m also glad you are wondering what happens next :)
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A truly magical story ! Jae
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Loved it, Lisa!
Yvette M Calleiro :-)
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
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Thanks so much, Yvette <3
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Nicely crafted story! Enjoyed it! Great turn at the end. This is definitely poetry.
That Rackham illustration is amazing!
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Thank you, Walt. I agree on Rackham.
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