The Mermaid of Black Conch: 'I have swum its velvet flow'
'I have seen the sea I have seen the glory I have seen its power the power of its kingdom I have swum its angers I have swum its misery I have swum its velvet flow the corals the cities underneath I have swum under islands I have swum close to shore in shallow waves and seen children playing' (Monique Roffey, The Mermaid of Black Conch)