Mermaid

by Amanda Blanchard
(North Carolina)

we reach up and feel the girl through our fingers,
a glitter dream of velvet and organza -
colors dance across her face in a wave of tears -
a blue mask, dripping jewels -
she breathes in our bright sweat and bruises,
taking us to worlds in her dreams -
fantastic whirls swim in her streams
and fly her through the water