With open-water swimmers
I took the chilly plunge
And vigorously began my strokes
To start the forward lunge

Such peaceful feelings in the tides
Away from city streets
Embracing water s calm repose
Hand-over-hand repeats

I cut through waves as best I can
My kick is rather weak
While other swimmers pass me by
Like dolphins, smooth and sleek

What power drives them strong and sure
So muscular and thin
I growl with admiration
I wish I had a fin!

And then at once beneath me close
Said Merman to my face
Perhaps your wish could be fulfilled
If I could take your place

I stared in shock for seconds few
Unsure of his remark
But glad I was not swimming with
A mean and hungry shark

Between my breaths on every four
I spoke through waters green
At risk of sounding crazy
Whatever do you mean?

Every twenty years of mine
Though for the seas I am made
With human legs I ll go ashore
If I can make an honest trade.

Should you agree to this exchange
For a week the waves you ll ride
And live in ocean kingdom
With mermaids by your side.

And I will walk upon the land
Observe your city s sights
Experience human culture
And scale the mountain heights

I thought perhaps that I had drowned
Was gripped in deathlike dreams
Until I heard the sound of gulls
And felt the sun s high beams

If I agree to seven days
And swim like mighty fish
Am I assured that you ll be back
To return will be my wish

That will be done, make no mistake
For the magic that I use
Will kill me sure, and probably you
If the terms I do abuse

But have no fear, I love my life
And never will I slip
I know my way around this isle
This would be my 15th trip!

You are quite old,  I said to him
Three hundred, maybe more
You still desire with youthful zeal
To walk upon the shore?

In human years, your guess is right
But we have a different measure
I offer you a lifetime s chance
To view my kingdom s treasure!

Oh what the hell! Let s make the swap!
This is quite beyond the pale!
He chanted words, his eyes alight
Where my legs were, now was tail!

As he swam toward the beach
Where do I go?  I pleaded
Then through the waves, came mermaid fair
I ll be your guide, as needed.

My name is Sun,  she smiled at me
I m here to be your host
And make your trip a pleasant one
From my diplomatic post.

2009©Theo van Joolen NY USA

TO BE CONTINUED…

Lighted vessel traveled each twilight mist his wings
Love in equable to each concerto sang by azure trees
The soft lips pressed by his presence
Shelter again my heart shall carry, her silken wings

Espied lasting the wings embraced to mine
Soft elated tears shed from my eyes to all some where in time
Beautiful bubbles restored in valance blueberry skies
Sweet sprites dream

by 2009©Deborah Shepard USA

s.k. lindeman NY USA

… Sweet Dreams ……”

By Komo Blastic & Gillian C. Short ©2009

“That’s correct my dear friend, Dew
Go back to glitt ring night!
Keep our pixie spirits true
What pictures in my sight!?”

In a flash as pixies fly
They came upon a square
Flashing colors light the sky
Buildings soared into the air!

Display of dazzling colored lights
And giant talking heads
Sparkled from the building heights
In blues and greens and reds

“What makes these pictures shine and glow?
And come to life-like vision
From where does this power flow?
Is this wizard’s deft precision?”

Dew and Drop gazed all around
At frenzy down below
As if a playground they had found
Their dizziness did show

“Dew, wake up! I m feeling trapped!
I feel we’re compromised
Before our energy is sapped!
We’ve become too mesmerized!”

Dew and Drop then left the scene
And honking of the cars
To find a place that s more serene
Illuminated by stars

“For moments we were quite amused
In that wild display
But I am still a bit confused
About that strange array!”

So Dew and Drop remained unsure
About the buildings glare
But, doubtless, they felt more secure
In Mother Nature’s care.

Theo van Joolen2009©NY USA

Birth of a Fairy 2009 ©Myrea Pettit

The birth of a fairy,
though a flower may die,
brings yellow and crimson
and gold to the sky,
angels blush lavender,
lilac and rose,
Apollo’s blood child
wavers and blows,
across dancing lilies
of valley and Nile,
where laughter is light
and tears can’t disguise,
swirling realm of the fay,
under pale, cobalt skies,
though silver be stolen
the child of fay hides,
amongst the leaves
of windblown dreams,
a feathery chariot drawn
over cordoned seas,
to visions of Venus,
so pure and subdued,
her flame imbued face
reflects only you,
while dawn’s liquid fingers
caress the day,
dew’s dripping veil revealing
the birth of the fay.

S.K.Lindeman©2009 NY USA

Dew and Drop slept very sound
Four hours, maybe five
Ready for another round
To roam and feel alive

As they opened eyes so wide
And gazed beyond the green
The glow of lights outside
Entered this night’s scene

“Although this park is pretty
Such Adventures we did share
Time to see the Glimmer City
At night when all’s a flare!”

“Straight away! Where gay lights glow!
Let’s leave familiar wood
At evening time, we Pixies show
Our talents, as we should!”

Dew and Drop, with awesome speed
Flew to ringed path
Saw carriage with a trusty steed
But did not show their wrath

Horses pixies love to tickle
As you may have heard
But magic made their own ears prickle
A song not from a bird!

“We must find the mystic source
That emanates such wonder
Quickly Drop, adjust your course!
Like lightning to this thunder!”

With pixie ears so heightened true
A crystal hall they found
They winked their eyes to show they knew
From here comes sublime sound!

They slid beneath great doors of glass
To hear such vocal pride
And music played with song, alas!
On stage a dragon died

“Upon great lantern we shall perch
To hear this tale unfold
Our king bids us to research
We’re students, so we’re told!”

“Der Vogelfänger bin ich ja!”
A man-bird sang so proud
“Stets lustig heissa hopsasa!”
So thrilled became the crowd

“See his plume so green and yellow
With him I’d like to play!
What happy notes, a charming fellow
What joy he does convey!”

“Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön”
A dazzling prince did sing
Brilliant and unfaltering tone
Throughout the hall did ring

“In love’s sweet spell is brave prince lost
I sway to heartfelt song
We know so well, there’ll be a cost
Let’s hope our hero’s strong!”

Magic spirits, bells, and flute
To story introduced
Then from on high came blazing queen
Friends delighted on their roost!

“Oh, tremble not, beloved son!
With tears sang sorrowed-queen
By noble strength, you’ll be the one
For my daughter, whom you’ve seen!”

But Dew and Drop, with pixie sense
Felt something less than just
That starry queen has some pretense
Not sure yet whom to trust

Then prince and bird went on their quest
And met a wise old man
Who put their bravery to the test
As wise men only can

In temple walls where princess lay
So sad by recent capture
Seeking out a brighter day
In our prince she may find rapture

“I fear this story’s quite a jumble”
Dew whispered right to Drop
“Again we hear the thunder rumble
Starlight Queen comes from the top!”

“She seems to me a bit unglued
Her appearance shows a rage!
It seems that she enjoys this feud
See blade she bares on stage!”

“Abuse I cannot tolerate
Protect sweet maiden’s head!
The angry queen must abdicate
Lest she make a person dead!”

Then Dew and Drop approached the queen
And tangled in her hair
“Pull harder Dew, this lady’s mean!”
While she hotly sang her air

“Our interference works, it seems
What piercing notes are these?
Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha she screams
She sounds as if to sneeze?”

“Be gone you wicked starry hag!
And leave this girl at rest
We support the wise man’s flag
Of peace and love that’s best!”

Dew and Drop watched till the end
And beamed with knowing pride
A magic love-dust they did send
Till bird-man found a bride!

The hall soon filled with laughter
And Prince and Princess wed
Lived happily there after
When pixie love was spread!

“Let’s fly tonight! Our work is done!
I feel I’m almost deaf
Evil queen that we made run
Sang C’s and pierced high-F!!”

So if you find yourself a seat
At six hundred twenty Köchel
Look around and pixies greet
That cause the queen’s debacle!

TO BE CONTINUED…

Theo van Joolen2009©NY USA

Dew and Drop, two pixies frantic
Great energy unbound
Said Pixie-King, “Just one more antic,
“I’ll tie you to the ground!”

“Great Pixie-King, we so revere
Don’t blame us for our fire
We fuel on tricks, good fun, and cheer
It’s adventure we desire!”

“Dear children,” said the Pixie-King
“I know so well your plight
Your nature bids you soar and sing
In every creature you delight!

As humans often make their tracks
On trails through our land bend
To their realm, to view their acts
You as students I will send.”

“Oh, Great Adirondack-Lord!
We thank you with our hearts
For, frankly we were getting bored
For we know so well these parts”

“But I will warn, you must observe
The city will amaze
Beware your pranks and check your verve
Be careful of your ways!

To humans, do not come too near
They posses a different guile,”
Before the King made himself clear
Dew and Drop had flown a mile!

“Our realm at night, the edge we cross
To seek the world outside
But have you a clue, I’m at a loss
Where does glimmer-city hide?

We follow thundering herd below
That runs with circled-feet
At night they travel, eyes aglow
On road they call concrete.”

Then Dew and Drop pursued quite close
And chased a boisterous beast
Then breathed a most unhealthy dose
Of air they liked the least

“I do not like this noxious mist
My sight, disturbed and grey
Drop coughed and sneezed and roughly hissed
Let’s fly to water-way!”

A better path for Dew and Drop
Awaited them quite near
They crossed a field of farmer’s crop
Once more their vision clear

“What most majestic, wondrous course
Father River guides us true
This feels much like our woodland force
We’ll float on breeze straight through.”

As our pixies, dreary-dazed
Lofted on the gentle breeze
Lifted wings, while they praised
Sweet moments such as these

“What giant bird on Father’s back?
Or winged-whale does ride?
Wind fills the great wing like a sack
Bright flags wave on the side.”

Dew swooped to play with streaming banner
Drop bounced off wind-blown wing
They frolicked in a pixie-manner
Beneath full moon, began to sing

Brother whale, eye opened wide
Beamed warm and piercing glow
But what is this?  A man inside?
Emerged from room below.

A swimming-house, not whale, nor swan
That stopped while man did lurk
He folded wing that soon was gone
Tossed hook to end his work

“What magic comes from humans, here?
In water they may dwell
Great city, not their only sphere
My mind rings like a bell!

Oh Drop, to yonder field we fly
This journey’s just begun
Let’s follow treetops up on high
And bask in rising sun.”

Then pixies two soared as the lark
To seek out different play
And came upon most wondrous park
At the dawning of the day

“What gentle lake so blue and calm
With pleasant fountain mist
It soothes like a most fragrant balm
For some sleep, I must insist!”

So Dew and Drop laid down to rest
Upon a lily flower
With anxious thoughts, they did their best
To slumber but an hour

Awakened by a human horde
Most laughter-filled and free
With mind’s eye, they walked toward
A stage for all to see

“Oh Dew, they seem a jolly crowd
Their actions do confound
But hark, they’re still, and no more loud
As they sit upon the ground.”

When nothing moved for minutes few
Except humans and their plates
Drop felt the pang of hunger too
That sight of food creates

“Let us fly to honey dew
And drink our bellies full
For I’m not sure what’s here to do
These humans are too dull.”

When Dew and Drop did have their fill
Of nectar rich and sweet
Returned they did to platformed hill
On the way to their retreat

“But what appears from window fair
From which dim light does glow
What prince in wonder does so stare
In garden down below?”

Mezmerized by beauty rare
Dew and Drop took pause
“Oh Romeo, Romeo!  filled the air
They dropped their little jaws.

“What fairy-beauty in human form
She must be revered queen
Her voice serene, and elf-like warm
Let’s stay in woodland green”

So Dew and Drop absorbed by magic
Shed tears at every scene
When fair lady slept, for Drop too tragic
Dew had to intervene

“Awake fair queen, embrace this life
And drink my pixie dust
Remain to stay the prince’s wife
To rule this realm, you must!”

Fair maiden then began to twitch
Dew became most pleased
From death to life she will now switch
Then suddenly, she sneezed!

From humans sounded quiet moan
Our Lady’s eyes showed terror
Arose from stoney bed to say,
“Forgive me for this error!”

The pixies two, perplexed anew
By such a strange behaviour
She lives because the caring Dew
Became her woodland saviour

“Once jolly crowd begins to ramble
This dream is once unsure
See how hastily they scramble
This place has lost allure.”

Flew fast away our forest friends
Across beloved lake
To seek adventure till it ends
Whatever it must take

“Majestic palace, wondrous halls
I see straight in our flight!
What Wizard dwells within those walls?
Come playful friend and sprite!”

Upon the stairs of palace great
Where Dew and Drop did hover
Humans gathered, stood in wait
What treasures to discover?

“Let’s follow pilgrims through this portal
My pixie-sense does shiver
What lies within, beyond mere mortal?
My wings are all a-quiver!”

Dew and Drop then darted through
The door to stunning treasure
Dazzling objects came in view
Such beauty beyond measure

“What kings and queens of milk white hue
Do stand in time so frozen
Is this the work of witch’s brew?
Why were these captured chosen?”

“I know not why this judgment came
But I feel a pixie’s sorrow
These lovely princes, movement tame
Shall live beyond tomorrow.”

“Had I but stronger pixie dust
Could give livliness to stone
I’d free this lady from her rust
Return her to her throne.”

Dew and Drop left sullen room
And whisked through golden halls
Where objects shone like springtime bloom
Dreamlike visions on the walls

“What glorious sights in crafted border
These colors do bedazzle!
Surface light, mystic disorder
I must pause, my mind’s a frazzle.”

Sweet pixies sat on golden edge
To take much needed rest
Heard human to a small group pledge,
“That’s Corot at his best!”

“I do believe, said Drop to Dew
King Corot has magic power
Feelings strange, are they in you?
How he captures lake and flower!”

“What pale goddess in calm repose
By gentle light blue sea
Like Elven maid, a blooming rose
Intoxicated, free!”

“Such sacred crafts by human hand
Did you know such could exist?
We must see more, let’s understand
By magic we are kissed.”

Dew and Drop then softly cried,
Bewildered they did feel
Floated dazed until they spied
Such calm that seemd unreal

A smaller view then did appear
Serenity unveiled
Young woman stood at window clear
Through which soft sunlight sailed

“I almost feel her breath on air
Behold her silken clothes?
See the light from pitcher flare
Her face with wisdom glows.”

“She beams with quiet strength and pride
Deliberate, content
And harbors secret deep inside
Emotional event?”

“Dew, I feel we’ve much to learn
Of beauty and shared sphere
How my desire now does burn
As wise troll or mystic seer.”

Dew and Drop then gently sighed
And both seemed to agree
That it was time to go outside
Much more there is to see

Flew they did back out the door
In sunlit park, attractive
And saw upon the ringed-road
Parade of humans, active

“What throng is here, determined mind
What game has here begun?
A closer look we’ll take behind
Perhaps we may have fun!”

From head to head did pixies flit
In frolic, darting chases
On funny hats the two would sit
To tickle human faces

When all at once a rumbling sound
Evolved at shot of gun
The humans’ feet began to pound
As they started all to run

“What noise is this, what new commotion?
I’m dizzy, can’t see through
I’m rolling, tossing in this ocean
Where are you, friendly Dew!?”

“I can barely hear you, Drop
I bounce from chest and waist
My head is spinning like a top
This game’s not to my taste!”

In steamy dew and bodies’ heat
They tumbled and were trapped
And when they tried so to retreat
They fumbled as wings flapped

Our woodland friends began to fright
And lost their pixie-smiles
At last they grabbed on shirts so tight
And rode for 13 miles!

When their steeds in time did halt
They tumbled to the grass
“In this game, I don’t exalt!
We’re still and calm, alas!”

“Our King did warn of human trick
To safely keep our distance
Their cunning is surprising, quick
Should we question our persistence?”

“The fault was ours, I’d clearly say
At mischief we were caught
What’s done is done, let’s go our way
A lesson we were taught!”

The pixies napped in leafy shade
In welcome wooded-glen
Their energy began to fade
They’ll sleep till who knows when?

TO BE CONTINUED in Part Two

Theo van Joolen2009©NY USA

They’ll cast down their light from the skies,
It will sparkle and dazzle your eyes,
You’ll see them all there,
Afloat in the air,
With their magic that none can deny.

Sit in the magic light circle,
Upon soft petals of purple,
Twirl in the breeze,
Drink honeydew mead,
Upon the back of a turtle.

The Pixies and elves will be there,
They’ll run round your toes without care,
They’ll sing and they’ll dance,
In a midsummer’s trance,
And each will have mischief to share.

So come to the butterfly ball,
Just follow the great waterfall,
By the rainbows end,
Were the silver brook bends,
Where the nightingale sings out her call.

Jo Riche2009©Northampton UK

My Fairy friends would flit by,
And shake their heads and gently sign,
And there amongst the wooded ground,
My heart did break, and did not pound.

I often looked towards the stars,
And wished that I could fly that far,
My only settler below the trees,
They offered me their fallen leaves.

Old Jack Frost would often nip me,
Upon the ground undoable to flee,
The woodland creatures scuttled by,
And asked me “why I could not fly?”

The prince bull frog passed by one day,
“why had he taken my wings away?”
He looked at me with a scornful frown,
He’d given them to another in exchange for a crown.

Now the woodland creatures and trees so tall,
Were very wise and they did call,
They told me I should not despair,
For they knew of a magic that was everywhere.

And so with their guidance, I began to learn,
The sacred magic with in the fern,
And seedlings I did sow and tender,
Until they grew out, flowers in splendour.

The prince bull frog caught sight one day,
of all the flowers and he did say,
“for all the flowers I will give,
This golden  crown upon my head”

I turned to him with an arrogant eye,
“you leave the flowers, from here be gone,
You took my wings so long ago,
You are no friend, you are my foe”

The prince bull frog was angered by this,
For his golden crown, who could resist,
And he left that day and went on his way,
And sat all alone in his pond.

The creatures and trees were all very pleased,
That I had not plucked the flowers.
They gathered me in and begun to spin,
The most beautiful pair of wings.

Form petals and leaves, and silk golden thread,
A magnificent crown they made for my head.
And there on the ground, my heart it did pound,
And I flew away with the wind.

Now the prince bull frog, sat in his pond and got old,
And when he was dead the crown from his head,
Sank deep beneath the lily fold.
And there it remained not to be seen,
While the flowers bloomed gold and gleamed.

Jo Riche2009©Northampton UK