A good friend recently retired to her new home in Florida and commissioned an imaginative sculpture that would serve as a poolside fountain and let’s say, a quirky curiosity.
This is what came out of my imagination. Legend has it that Mermaids had a mischievous streak, luring sailors in their wooden ships off-course, onto treacherous rocks. But why, you ask? Well, it’s safe to say they weren’t the nicest bunch. Contrary to popular belief, they were no fish with gills; they were people, and their motivations were quite, let’s say, earthly.
So why tempt sailors towards rocky peril? Some say it was all part of an elaborate scheme to indulge in some unexpected ship-side ‘festivities’. You see, they’d entice sailors close, perhaps for a chat, and then proceed to raid their ships for rum, wine, and gold. To add a touch of allure, they’d wear fish tail coverings on their legs and perch topless on rocks, waiting for passing ships, luring sailors into their demise.
Now, this particular Mermaid, for instance, managed to entice the skipper of a pirate ship, acquired his gear, sword and all, and is now savoring her second bottle of wine, with a gold purse casually tossed at her feet.
But what became of these legendary Mermaids? Well, with the advent of steamships, they had to change their tactics. Steamships could reverse and avoid those troublesome rocks. No worries, though, the Mermaids simply altered their game plan and relocated to the mainland. Nowadays, you can find them in every bustling port city, still up to their old tricks – tempting sailors with promises of earthly favors in exchange for cash and booze. They’ve even traded in their fishy outfits for fishnet stockings, high boots, and rather revealing attire. “Hi there, baby, care for some fun?” is their modern-day siren song.
The water of this fountain will pour from the wine bottle into the conch shell and into the pool below.
