Human girl born with her legs conjoined

as a mermaid’s tail with feet like the caudal fin.

Given months to live, Shiloh lived ten years

as if a mermaid, adapted to neither sea nor land.

Robbed of a happily-ever-after with a prince

whose love could break the sirenomelia spell, 

Shiloh Pepin lived as the land mermaid of Maine

and died leaving her loving parents to grieve.

A wailing ocean of tears can’t return her life

but her legacy holds bravery, laughter, and love.

Screenshot: Fair & Legal Use