What could Amanda do if she were a mermaid?
If Amanda were a mermaid, she could drift blissfully in a languid, emerald sea where she would be the sole inhabitant. This means she would enjoy complete freedom and peace, with no one to control or instruct her.
As a mermaid, Amanda would escape the constant nagging and restrictions imposed on her. She wouldn't have to worry about biting her nails, sitting up straight, finishing homework, or cleaning her room. The image of drifting blissfully represents her deep desire for a carefree life away from the endless instructions she receives.
Explanation
The poem clearly states in stanza 2 (given in parenthesis to show Amanda's imagination): 'There is a languid, emerald sea, where the sole inhabitant is me—a mermaid, drifting blissfully.' This fantasy of being a mermaid reflects Amanda's yearning for freedom from parental control and the constant instructions she receives about her behaviour, appearance, and tasks.