Mermaid in Winter

Today is bright sharp cold.
Winter is not her favorite time.
Her tail, fishlike, can adapt to chilly waters -
slowing, hibernating -
but the woman shivers
longing for a tropical retreat.
Even the sunning rocks are not warm.
The water herself has a steel glint.
The sky, though blue,
is a thin wash
instead of the deep summer bright
that goes on forever.