Mermaid, Looking For Her Father's Eyes

Mermaid, looking for her father's eyes Looks in the river, ocean, sky- But the river god, he only sleeps; And the little silver fishes, keeps Close beside him, all the night, Till dispersed at mornings light. Mermaid, looking for her father's eyes Thinks the ocean knows where- or why Her father's missing- beneath the waves? Or in some sunken castles, gave His bones, to sanctify a water-world, Where the colored fish-schools whirl. Mermaid, looking for her father's eyes Looks above, then heaves a sigh; For nowhere has she found one sign, Although her birth was in the brine- Though Moon's the one always overhead, Shining his face, above her bed.