The Mermaid’s Tale

An old wooden dock
At the rear of Nocturna
Provides access
To the narrow city canal.

Used by occasional delivery barges,
And small wooden
Personal craft.

Often frequented by
An ornate wooden
Steam Launch
Owned by
Captain Abercrombie Marlowe.

Stepping from her
Polished timber deck today,
Is the Captain’s daughter,
Selena Marlowe.

As Selena stepped ashore,
Her dark hair
Still carried the scent
Of river water.

Ms Marlowe is a renowned
Nautical folklorist,
And is visiting with her father
This evening to meet with Artemis Fogg,
Cartographer,
Folklore enthusiast,
And, according to the Captain,
A scallywag.