Mermaid Folklore Poem: "Do You Know Me?"

This mermaid folklore poem teeters on the brink of fact and fiction. Does anyone really know for sure?

After all, facts surrounding the existence of mermaids are as fluid as the sea itself. Until they become crystal clear, wading through the murkiness of uncharted waters will help us draw our own conclusions.


The inspiration for this poem came from the 1990's television series "seaQuest DSV." I loved the show, and was enthralled by an episode about genetically-altered humans living underwater. One of them was mistaken for a mermaid, and thus this poem was born.

Take A Moment To Reflect

Beneath The Surface

I rarely set out to define exactly what a poem means. Each person's take on it is unique.

You may find open-mindedness here. Or a fairytale. Or that reality may differ from what we expect it to be.

Whatever you find in it becomes part of the poem.

The Feeling Of This Poem

This poem carries slight melancholy, maritime myth, and an invitation to suspend disbelief.

It may resonate with those who think outside the box, or those who enjoy philosophical discussions.

A Quiet Pause

If you'd like to linger a little longer:

• Which image stayed with you?
• Do you believe myths carry grains of truth?
• What beliefs did you have as a child that were abandoned in adulthood?
• What does "uniquely human, uniquely mermaid" mean to you?
  
  
  
  

When You Might Return To This Poem

You might reach for this poem:

• while looking out to sea
• when the unanswerable seeks answers
• when you're feeling unknown to those that know you
• when you want to believe in possibility
  
  
  
  

FAQs

Can I share your poems with others?

Yes! I love when my poems resonate enough that you want to share them. For personal use—like including a poem in a letter, greeting card or journal—you're absolutely welcome to do so. If you'd like to share online, I'd appreciate if you share a brief excerpt (a few lines) along with my name and a link back to this page, rather than copying the full poem. This helps other readers discover my work, which means the world to me as an independent writer.

Can I use your poems for commercial purposes?

Commercial use, adaptations, publications, or reproducing full poems requires my permission. Please contact me if you're interested in using my work in these ways—I'm happy to discuss it.

What if I just want to quote a line or two?

Brief excerpts with attribution are fine, especially if you're discussing the poem, using it for inspiration, or sharing what moved you. Just please credit me by name and link back to my site when sharing online.

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If You Like This Mermaid Folklore Poem...

Some readers choose to carry this poem into their own story as a print or inspiration. It's available from my Etsy Shop as a printed poster (paid link), or print your own with this digital download version (paid link). Available in sizes 8x10, 11x14, 16x20.

This poem and others are available in my poetry book "A Mermaid Like Me" (paid link). This original collection of poems will inspire the mermaid within while embracing your uniqueness!

Thanks for connecting with my poetry!