By Iqbal Hussain
I see her in the distance, a bobbing buoy in the azure sea. I plunge into the water.
She watches me approach: curious, cautious. Dreadlocked hair, like tumbling kelp, skin the colour of coral. Her eyes are dark pools: I’m sinking, falling, entranced. She smiles.
I tread water, reaching out to touch her. Fingers intertwine, bodies pull forward; my mouth seeks hers. We kiss. The taste of brine, the smell of ozone strong in the air. The waves pound; the gulls wheel and scream.
Then she’s gone. A flash of silver. She swims for the horizon.
I drown in her wake.
Wonderful Imagery, and what a way to go!
I love the story climaxing with the the encounter between the two and how it affected him. He seems overwhelmed, iillustrated by the waves pounding and the gulls wheeling and screaming.
Sent me in a host of different directions. An excellent read.
Beautiful! I love how all senses are engaged.
Well done.
“the gulls wheel and scream” puts you right there.
Gives the feels. Great job!
Terrific! Evocative and beautiful.
Fabulous. Potent and vivid.
Thank you all so much for your lovely feedback. This was a story idea that’s been in the back of my mind for years. I’ve always been fascinated by mermaids and stories of sirens. And I’ve always been drawn to the sea. I wanted to capture that moment of total rapture before it vanishes, never to be repeated.