OCEAN OCEAN — Paul Xylinides

Ocean Ocean everywhereAnd no place to hideGariella must ruleWhen she's a mermaidNot in a boat.Wave lifted Boat higher and higher and deposited it on the cliff.Well done! Now go back from where you came!Wave plunged down the cliff face into the waves of the waiting sea.It wasn't a large boat, but it suited Gariella: a small cabin to sleep in and to shelter from storms. What caused these terrible weathers she had no idea. Someone or something. When you are a wild child, you know a lot and you know a little.It's me! said Wind.Go back to sleep! said she.Wind told a lot of stories. So many that she didn't always listen. She was in the middle of her own story after all. And cool me down when I'm hot! she added. If you want to be friends, that is.Okay! said Wind. Is this what you mean? A little breeze snuffled about her as she looked over the land. She said nothing. You can ignore breezes. They are always well-behaved. But they will speak, you simply cannot stop them. Despite herself, she heard what it said.Someone is coming! Someone is coming! Four legs. Two heads. Very handsome! O me! O my!Breeze talk! Nonetheless, Gariella looked into the far, far distance.Nothing. Nothing. Nothing.