And strange were the tales of the pond in the meadow, And eager we listened with eyes opened wide To Those tales often told by poor Mary the widow, Who lived in a cottage the meadow beside. Play not, my dear boys, near the pond in the meadow, The mermaid is waiting to pull you beneath; Climb not for a bird’s nest, the bough it may sliver, And the mermaid will drag you to darkness and death.

— J.R. Withers

#moon-stealers #science-fiction #death