Mermaids Collective

09/19/2026

Midnight Mermaids

I know you are out there, my love,
somewhere in the dark, moonlit night,
somewhere where lone longing mermaids
dare ne'er take adventure's flight,
for
without wings of vivid imagination,
without desire for revelation's unknown,
without fierce and courageous compassion,
without surety of a warm, welcome home,
how
can she assure her heavy heart will be safe?
Can she assure herself pure peace of mind,
and
if her venture proves to be wasted by haste,
will she taste that sweet joy she seeks to find?

I know you are out there, my love,
somewhere in the howling chill of night,
somewhere where only lonely mermaids
dream and pray to a listening moonlight.

~P.S. Colley~
c. 9-26

09/18/2026

These are days when thirsty mermaids
pray for rain.
The sea evaporates, moisture fades to
silvery grey.
Impatient lightning, notwithstanding
this single precious moment,
presents itself,
as if its presence
was this lonely night's
only premiere performance.

Lone restless cloud rumbles desire's
discontent into the darkness.
The sea ignores each pitiful plea,
waving its raging harshness.
Impetuous longing, notwithstanding
threatening dangers of the reef,
releases itself
like a Kraken,
into a vicious night
upon a sea stone of resilience.

~P.S. Colley~
c. 9-26

09/15/2026

Chime

Mother of all beauty.
Strength of all mortal men.
I am the soothing chime.
You are the restless wind.

Suspend me within time
Where I'll fly high and bend
Through sorrows like sparrows
Sailing swift upon the wind.

Suspend me in nature
Where my sodded seeds send
Down deep roots like fingertips
Clinging life 'til the end.

Suspend me with others,
Where my own life will blend
Harmonic like bird choirs
Serenading the wind.

When with beauty all sing
Within strength's choir of men,
The chime gently dances,
Calmly taming the wind.

~P.S. Colley~

c.2024

09/08/2026

Heart of Appalachia

Somewhere nestled in the foothills of
some Blue Ridge Mountain town,
Live a people, plain and simple,
and yet, utterly profound.
If you take a silent, scenic skyline drive
Go no faster than a snail's thirty-five,
One car may pass, or maybe two,
Don't blink, or you might miss the view.
Under the bridge the oldest river, the New,
beckons fisherman to drift in rental canoes
Forests whisper where hikers with mother nature commune
across creek worn paths to waterfall lagoons.

In town, steeples peep just lazily nappin'
while stars and stripes bust bravely flappin'.
Down Mainstreet, sweet picket-fenced cottages invite
to porch swing chats and stargaze nights,
All friends and all family, all kin by right,
all neighbors who spin small talk delights .

Garden clubs at the library, free books for everyone,
as poets read their daydreams in the bright noonday sun.
Where Grandpas' take grandsons fishing for trout
while grandmas' get their canners out
To win peach pie prizes at the local fair
with its blooms and blossoms beyond compare.
In the distance one hears joyful church bells ringing
while pews of the faithful join in singing,
"Home of the brave, land of the free
let the blood of Christ wash over me."

Beyond the post office in an old schoolhouse
the old folk rockers circle round about
A Sic Semper Tyrannis flag fielded on blue
that salutes any Virginian, both old and new
And the sun shines hope on another glorious day
celebrating peace in Small Town, U.S.A.

~P.S. Colley

Dedicated to the people of Pembroke, Virginia

09/06/2026

https://mermaidscollective.bandcamp.com/album/mermaids-10

10 track album

09/02/2026

It's all about the fine tuning.

Some of us don’t just walk through nature—we notice it. The tiny bird in the branches, the light through the leaves, the little moments everyone else walks past.

09/01/2026

Autumn Wonderings

Autumn years, why so rusty
on the
parched and withered vine?

Will your fears grow musty, musky,
inside
a troubled, tortured mind?

Can your force of sheer willed energy
endure
a test of tests through time?

Will your tears flow slowly, sparingly
until
void of joy, they hopelessly die?

Autumn years, why fall chill around me
when I
thirst of warmth of something kind?

~P. S. Colley~

c. September 2026