Naiad of Table Rock
Grazing in the shallows of the rocky cove
wreathed by dragonfly wings,
wide mouth filled with silvery minnows,
with a flip of her tail,
she is gone.
The Riverman’s eldest Daughter,
sleek as an old catfish
glistening in the milky light of the sun,
makes her way to deepest pools
waiting for the chance
to knot fishing lines of the unwary angler
and tangle treasured lures
in hidden brush under the surface
of the cold fresh water lake.
Some think her a mermaid
but many scoff at the tales-
until when out casting
late at night
in the dark of the moon,
they see a vision,
too large to be a common fish.
Her back scaled and iridescent,
trailing bright phosphorescence
in the murky water.
Silvered hair floats above her
to the surface
as she takes their bait
and runs deep and fast-
another one that got away.
*** for dVerse prompt to write of mythological creatures – thought I would include our local naiad – pretty sure I have almost caught a glimpse out of the corner of my eye – what was that big splash?
thecourseofourseasons 
Fantastic for sure ~ great title, love ‘naiad’
As an avid fisher-woman, I loved this! I could picture this so clearly. What a wonderful way you have with description and imagery! I also like that you used the term Naiad instead of Mermaid…it makes the poem stand out, for sure. 🙂
Great story, well told !
fabulous!
oh my goodness I so love love this poem your visuals of expression make me see the words you write and the twinkles because that is what they are beautiful stars of comic prose that entwine beneath the vines and murky waters is divine your mermaid your Naiad of Table Rock ;))
oh beautiful, the tone of this made me feel I was there, beautifully written.
I love her..from “grazing in the shallows of the rocky cove…” to “diving deep and fast” ;0
This is wonderful and I’m delighted to see a Mermaid poem (I had thought of writing a Merman poem, but Matthew Arnold has done it too well with his “The Forsaken Merman”,so I let it lie).
So happy you liked it – I love the idea of mermaids and mermen, don’t you – K
Ha… love your use of phosphorescence against the murky water… such a vivid image. This is so beautifully written and believable.
Thanks, Laurie – I have seen the phosphorescence twice on our cove – just amazing. Not sure what causes it here ( except for maybe the naiad) but an unforgettable sight – K
An interesting story of the riverman’s eldest daughter ~ Another way that gets away hey ~
By the way, I read that some people actually sew/buy/wear mermaid tails for a recreational hobby or swim ~
Thanks, Grace – can’t imagine trying to swim in something like that – I would likely drown!
Smooth rhythmic feel. Love the story. Mystery below the water needs some type of explanation. Wouldn’t be the first time a fisherman was responsible for a tall tale. Nice.
Thanks – it was fun to write and you just never know what is in that murky water! K
Ah she sounds pretty nice to meet… In the swedish myths she would probably steal the fisherman as welll…. Great tale. /Björn
Thanks, Bjorn – I imagine there are many mermaid tales told by your local fishermen!
ha…very cool…would love to catch a glimpse of her as well…love how you describe her… and i’m a bit envious that we don’t have a local naiad over here…smiles
Thank you, Claudia, happy you liked it – and don’t be too sure you don’t have a few in your local waters – listen for that splash and just out of the corner of your eye…..
this is very good. I love how the tempo of the poem really picks up as you get into the description of her in the water, such a nice contrast within a poem itself, but especially in one where one needs to believe, at least momentarily, in the possibility of the naiad itself. Wonderful piece. Thanks
Thank you and thanks for the prompt – it was fun to think about and write! K
ha. i know her…or of her kin…and my line has met them…dang it…the first fish i ever caught with my youngest was a mighty cat…scared the bejesus out of him when i pulled it out of the water…he thought it was a demon…..cool story telling kathleen…
That is hilarious – some of those old cats do look like demons! Thanks, Brian, it was fun to write.