Paleolithic Mermaid Poem by Robert Rorabeck

Broken as the tailgate to the
Alligator's eye:
There she is, smiling toothily
In the gutter downhill from
The blood bank,
From the dime store:
What has she made for herself?
She has just grown larger
And without one thought,
Insatiable—
Girls from the college
Petal over her aquatic boudoir
With a million thoughts like a
Bee hive
Made up in their minds.
What will be their major?
Who will they marry?
And where will they live
After all of this is over?
She doesn't care—
After all of the ferris wheels have
Closed up shop
And moved out of town,
After each and every window
Lies doused
There she remains,
Paleolithic mermaid
Airplanes leaping like mathematical
Fireflies over her perfect body.