The Grotto

We had come across this grotto in

The cliff near Cater’s Pride,

And were swimming in the shallows

When we took a look inside,

There was just a tiny entrance that

Had broadened to a hall,

And the strange effect of lighting seemed

Reflected off each wall.

 

There were seashells, there were gemstones

Shining, in the rocky face,

And a narrow path around a pool

With depths we could not trace,

But the water was so clear and blue,

And warm, it must be said,

That Cathy cried, ‘Can this be true?’

While I just shook my head.

 

We sat back on the ledge and dangled

Feet down in the blue,

We didn’t know that danger loomed

And nor, I think, would you,

But then some minor turbulence

Disturbed the perfect pool,

And suddenly three heads appeared

To laugh, and play the fool.

 

Three nymphs with sparkling eyes and teeth

Who splashed, their laughter pealed

And echoed round the grotto, as

Their presence was revealed,

They saw us and they beckoned us

As if to swim and play,

If only caution reckoned in

The thoughts I had that day!

 

But Cathy laughed and waved at them

From just beyond my reach,

And two of them came swimming and

They seized an ankle each,

They pulled her off the ledge and laughing

In that pool so blue,

Then swam around her teasing so

I knew not what to do.

 

Now Cathy was a swimmer, she

Could more than hold her own,

But when they swam around her

What I saw would make me groan,

For as they broke the surface I

Could see her face was pale,

And each of these fair maidens, well,

They had a fish’s tail.

 

They whirled around and tumbled her

And pulled her by the hair,

And soon I saw her fighting them

As if in need of air,

I dived in then to free her but

They saw me coming down,

And took her to the depths with them

Until poor Cathy drowned.

 

I totally lost sight of them

And had to clamber out,

Sat weeping by the pool until

Just like a waterspout

Her body shot up from the depths

And then the mermaids three,

Swam clinging to each other, looked

Apologetically.

 

They didn’t know we had to breathe

They had no need of air,

They made me signs of penance but

My Cathy simply stared,

And in her eyes a look of awe

As if in death she’d seen

A world that was worth dying for,

A dream within a dream.

 

David Lewis Paget

Reviews

[Barbz]

Investigating places that we ought not ever be, could kill us,like a Cat with his curiosity. And when, at first. You revel, in the beauty that appears, it might suddenly deceive you, and render you to tears. But when events that happen, cause doubt, not usual, they seem, could cause " A world that was worth dying for" your "dream within a dream". I have always been fascinated by the tale, or should I say the Tail of the Mermaid. Thank you, David, for your diversity. Always a brain teaser', at least for me.lol Barbz

[Beccy]

A wonderfully told tale, and a grand message of caution contained. Such a shame that the magic could not turn poor Cathy into a nymph.

Beccy.

[TPK Stories]

I have always been fascinated by mermaids. . .tantalizing piece of writing. . .DLP. . .

[TL Boehm]

beauty and curiosity are a deadly combo in this stellar write. Poor Cathy.

[Avinash]

This is a practical scenario for an improbable incident. We often have fantasies about the creatures and we tend to overlook some minute but significant details which can turn the dream into a nightmare.

[Marie]

Poor Cathy. Perhaps her spirit entered into that world she'd seen after all. Just to see a mermaid would be a wonderous thing.

If I'd been writing this, I have had them turn her into a mermaid--of course that would have been no solac to her lover.

[R Smith]

that was some story David, remind me not to swim anywhere like that lol, your true genius is at work here, so very well done :)

[Bright Ocean Star]

David, this should be posted in every competitive swimming pool in the world! Love it!!!

[Leviathus Fortes]

The last 4 lines of the last stanza are simply the best.

The entire last stanza took my perspective away from what I had read. They weren't evil, they were just playing.

Wonderful story.

[Lizardo]

I love how you ended the poem
"A dream withing a dream"
It's a really good poem
Great piece of work!

[MomzillaNC]

This one is a lilting masterpiece! And the last stanza is just stunning. I love this piece so much!