the siren: Mia Lorelei

The Wind was exploring as he always does. At a certain time of day, with the Sun shining at a particular angle, he could count on seeing movement below the water. As a small sprite, he would look down on Earth, imagining the future he would have once he was strong enough to venture down to the lower atmosphere. Now, stronger than ever, he dances with the Sun's rays waiting to meet the Wind below the water. 

However, the Wind under the surface was not wind at all. The movement can be attributed to the Moon’s creatures. Tease and tease, the creature under the water played with the refraction of light. Does she have scales or is it just the speed of light?

Journeying farther into the sea stacks he had yet to check out, he could hear the music of another. Was it wind or one of Moon’s creatures? Ahh, it was the Siren of the surface. He recognized her shiny scales. He carried her voice far above the outcrops of rock, a smooth sound of any pitch that melts across the topside of water–unlike his that pierces and is often cold.

Their daughter could take up the form of anything through the power of her resonance. She could mimic her father, and the schools she passed both on land and underwater, but her tone was too distinct to impersonate her mother. She liked the human form the most–the effect her voice had on others that thought she was the same as them. They were drawn to her; she emanated a hum of gold. They avoided her; her seemingly silver touch. 

She didn’t want them too close anyways, just close enough to listen. When she sings, she summons the power of the Wind and the Siren. The wind travels through the tresses of the audience, lifting the voice of a siren farther than imagined.

— — —

In the summer of 2021, my aunt wanted to go somewhere, get out of the neighborhood, and spend time with her family. A “stay-cation” is what we called it, only driving an hour or so to a range of hills where we were to stay at a fancy villa with a pool.

The first few days were warm and sunny. Great for the kids and the pool, great for reading and sketching on a lawn chair. Then as summer does, a summer storm rolled in.

July 26, before the rain could fall, Mia brought her guitar outside with me trailing behind. With a chill in the air and the phenomenon that channels of wind can suspend sound–a story had sparked. I could hear her sing and see her voice dance in the hair of spectators of an amphitheater. Their joyous laughter at the soundwaves playing with their tresses couldn’t be heard with the siren up front.

Since that day, this idea has been fostered, written in a coffee-stained notebook, and waiting to be revised. Since that day, she has sparked joy and vulnerability; she has heard my call on her side of our soul-stringed telephone and continues to energize our paths forward.

* * *

The spark of human creativity can come from seemingly anywhere, and I cherish it when it is brought by from my dear cousin. With hope and a call to action, with actively curating patience and love—we create our own opportunities.

Mia Lorelei continues to chase the song of her heart and mind and is able to make it known. From covering her favorite artists to writing and producing her first EP, I am but a sister watching her overcome battles and relishing in her love.

[stream ‘All That’s Left is a Lifetime’ on all platforms!]

Leading to the end of her spring break, we traversed through a forthcoming super bloom and captured some pictures before the sun disappeared from view. Enjoy my favorites <3