Classic Poem

Of all the pleasures that Mer-children meet
These two are the very best —
They never are scolded for wetting their feet,
They never are washed and dressed.
The scolding fails
When feet are tails
And tails
Have scales;
Bathing is best
When done
At rest
Undressed.

If they wish to be dry they can sit in the sun,
On warm brown rocks, at ease;
But the little Mer-children every one
Keep close to the slippery seas.
They love to be
All wet and free,
Like thee,
And me;
They have no care
Of things to wear,
All bare
And fair.

If they stayed too long on the sunny shore,
Forgetting the waters nigh,
They might have a scolding — or something more —
For letting their tails get dry!
From Mer-Mama,
Or stern Mer-Pa —
Ah-ha!
La-la!
Mer-children know,
And never go
Dry so —