Tell Me
Tell me a story,
She says, tugging on the hem
Of her mother's blue and white flowered dress.
Her mother turns, and smiles,
Seeing the wide, innocent eyes,
Beaming face, radiant smile.
Tell me a story, she responds,
Little angel, Sweetie pie,
You tell me.
The tiny eyes crinkle,
The soft pink mouth curves down.
But no! the child insists,
Mommy, tell me about the mermaid.
-But, Dearie, I don'tâ
The mermaid!
Do you remember that story?
Tell me about the mermaid, and king Triton.
Mommy looks down at the shining face,
Soft brown hair, unblemished skin,
I'll try, she sighs â begins to weave a tale
Imaginary lands sown into a fabric of words,
A new fantasy invented each time.