I've often wondered where mermaids live
So when I hear her call out to me I jump in without hesitation.
Visibility decreases the deeper we go
The descent of her luminescent hair is my only indication of direction.
I finally catch up to the speck of light I've been tailing.
She stops,
"You're in pain"
"How do you know?"
"I've been watching you"
"Why did you bring me here?"
Then she says,
"Sometimes we have to reach our deepest depths in order for us to realize how strong we are."
She pulls me to her and I instantly remember this embrace.
Memories come flooding back in the span of a few seconds.
"I can't do this without you."
"My son, you already are."
I wake up alone, but with the remnants of her lips on my cheek
And spend the rest of the day thinking about my mother's affinity for the ocean and her fear of flight.
