Ocean City, Maryland
When mermaids–laughing, young, and sweet–
Shift from flippers to ten-toed feet,
Beware of smiles that lure you there–
Of rosy cheeks and curly hair.
For they won’t stay that way for long,
And all you’ll keep is their sweet song.
Baltimore, Maryland
Last night you found the moon,
A silver sliver in the sky.
You leaned against the glass,
With wonder in your eye.
Soon you’ll count the stars,
There are more than you can know.
But never let that stop you
From giving it a go!
Note to Josie: Last night, at the balcony door, you were very excited to point out the moon and name it. We are looking forward to showing you the stars when we move to the country!
Baltimore, Maryland
Slowly, it turns its head your way—
The beast can smell your fear.
Its lips draw back along its teeth—
It knows that you are near.
With every monstrous step it takes,
The beast imprints the ground;
But even moving earth this way,
It hardly makes a sound.
Its eyes are red in the moonlight,
Pools of the blood they seek.
And the beast is hunting for you,
So small and scared and weak.
Mid-stride it halts and turns to stone—
The beast has heard a noise.
Perhaps you cried or just exhaled—
It listens and enjoys.
So near now, it drools just a bit,
An acrid, slimy rope.
And as the beast rounds the last bend,
It knows you have no hope.
It breaks through brush in one great leap,
And at the sight of you,
The beast knows it was very wrong—
You’re more than it can chew!
Mary Lundstedt 