For a moment the moon shone bright through the trees. I had to get up. Look out the window at the shadows cast by leaves and the silver sparkles on the lake.

Now it’s dark again. 3:32 am. September 1.

We’re making plans to move on from here. Summer was short and sweet. It brought mermaid memories back. I learned over again how much I love swimming and diving underwater.

This summer, I lived in the lake. When I wasn’t in the water, I thought about getting in the water. I learned a lot about myself. I learned how much I need it. There is something about the water that is home to me. My body lets go and all but dissolves in the lake. I’ve never felt so one with nature.

I am in love with a mermaid. I found her while surfing underwater videos on youtube. Videos of her circling with sea lions close to the water surface fill me with awe. When she swims by a sea turtle and does a little dance, I find myself giggling like a little girl. Her beauty and grace inspires me.

Doing a google search for “mermaid” brought me regional variations on the story of The Mermaid Wife. I had never heard of this story before, but it is a classic tale of a woman trapped outside of her element. The story spoke to me, brought me to tears, made me think about my life. I left my tropical homeland over fourteen years ago. I made a home in the arms of my man. I made his language my predominant tongue. It’s interesting that being in the cool water here in Maine should trigger a desire in me to come home.