According to German legend, there was once a beautiful young maiden, named Lorelei, who threw herself headlong into the river in despair over a faithless lover. Upon her death she was transformed into a siren and could from that time on be heard singing on a rock along the Rhine River, near St. Goar. Her hypnotic music lured sailors to their death. This folklore was the inspiration behind the following poem.

Poet Lorelei

She enchanted him with words
His mind and body around her swirled
Bewitched by thoughts and images
Transported to another world

She mesmerised him with her charm
His thoughts and dreams she fed
Infatuated he followed blindly
In anticipation he was gently led

She lured him onto her literal rock
His heart and mind she captivated
With promises of a life eternal
On this virtual paradise she’d created

He didn’t see the danger coming
Didn’t realise he’d sealed his fate
He didn’t know she was a siren
And alas for him it was too late

©Marian Barker

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