Carolyn Devonshire Poet Narrative

A Mermaid and the New Jersey Devil

with cloven hooves and bat-like wings
he waits for her as sunset paints the sky
a much-feared societal outcast
communes each night with his only love

here on the Atlantic Ocean
where waves sweep worries away
she glides gently to the rock jetty
hears a song that reaches only her ears

how such a beautiful creature
finds joy with a being so dreaded
has been a mystery since 1870
she sees not his unsightly frame
but lingers on every word he sings

his song saddens her
salty tears fall from her eyes
the sea grows deeper with every drop
only a mermaid can sense his pain
his loneliness she shares



*”Sightings included one in 1870 by a Long Beach fisherman who said he saw 
the Jersey Devil serenading a mermaid.” – From the New Jersey Historical Society
http://www.jerseyhistory.org/legend_jerseydevil.html

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Robert Lindley August 17, 2014 at 7:36 PM A great poem and a fine win my friend.. Big congrats!!!!

Jack Horne June 7, 2014 at 5:11 PM how cool - I wonder if it was Sue swimming with VD, LOL

Faye Gibson June 3, 2014 at 8:22 AM Very intriguing story that you have put to verse. I like this!!

Joseph May May 31, 2014 at 6:24 PM A very interesting write Carolyn...Its kinda like beauty and the beast....well penned...

Sara Kendrick May 31, 2014 at 5:18 AM Unusual topic chosen about which to write a poem..There have been some strange myths and legends formed over the years about some really strange sightings..It is good that most people know that they are only what they are imagination..It is good to have some imagination though..Thanks for stopping by..Sara

Andrea Dietrich May 30, 2014 at 11:58 PM I really like how you based this one on a legend. Would be so cool if mermaids truly existed. I have seen documentaries about that and would love to have time to research it before writing a mermaid poem! Carolyn Devonshire May 31, 2014 at 1:44 PM Dear Andrea, I saw a documentary on Animal Planet about Dr. Paul Robertson's alleged mermaid connection in evolution. However, it was proven to be a hoax. Check it out if you like at: http://insidetv.ew.com/2013/05/28/mermaids-animal-planet-ratings/ Thanks for reading!

Kelly Deschler May 30, 2014 at 6:44 PM Only another outcast could love something so elusive....This was such a unique tale and you told it so beautifully. I especially loved the last stanza, and the thought of the sea growing deeper with her every teardrop.... A wonderful write, Carolyn! Good luck to you in Suzanne's contest!

Shadow Hamilton May 30, 2014 at 2:34 PM this is excellent Carolyn gl in contest hugs

Tim Smith May 29, 2014 at 5:11 PM Quite beautiful Carolyn..This is the first I had heard about this sighting...Wonderfully done...hugs Tim Carolyn Devonshire May 29, 2014 at 10:28 PM Tim, I actually called the NJ Historical Society regarding the "devil" when compiling a book of poems on legends, mysteries and history. The devil was the 13th child of a NJ woman in the 1700s. Just tonight, by coincidence, I saw a documentary about it. It's a fascinating story and Mulder and Scully from the X-Files had a case on it. LOL

David Williams May 29, 2014 at 4:43 PM Hi Carolyn it is the unanswered question, though I am a believer, I like this as it flows nicely and if for the contest good luck, David Carolyn Devonshire May 29, 2014 at 10:30 PM It is believed to live in the NJ Pine Barrens, but has also been seen in Pennsylvania and Virginia. There are some hoof-print artifacts in a museum. I remember the part about the mermaid the most because it seemed this "devil" was like Frankenstein - lonely and misunderstood, but feared only for its appearance. It has never attacked a human, but preys on small animals.