A Dragon's Tale

Kicking up dust with my Mary Jane shoes too many years ago now to be counted in the darkening shadows of one bronze summer day I was holding his hand, with assurance and trust filled with concoctions of sugared excitement I remember our feet crossing the plank Dad was giving me time to back out, with grace Giving me a last chance to alter my mind "There's no real disgrace,"....he said, to be kind But I was determined, insistent and firm! How many times, had they taken their turns...? Big brother and Dad....while I had to learn that I wasn't up to the challenge or race? The infantile shame of the "no-hall-of-fame?" Dad finally relented, to my mother's chagrin then took hold of my hand,.......and with bravado...I claimed! Sticky was the heat, and so were my hands, as we watched and we waited, with fidgety impatience Then, slowly and surely we crept, up the line We boarded the Dragon, a faceless contraption, that seemed quite familiar...and oddly resembled the creation my brother assembled at home. Made out of metal, "Erector Set" labeled Sitting so proudly, upon the card table. A strange looking man with a sunburned face and a head that seemed too small for his burly, puffed shape escorted us into a red metal bucket, Strapped us down tight, without much discussion Before the sound of train wheels began I buried my face in the arm of my Dad.... Blinded by fear, and too scared to see, Suddenly gripped by the Dragon's fierce roar I know we had the ride of my life.... The Dragon, I'm sure was fast as could be But I was not harmed, and I was not charmed I only remember my weak shaky knees, and walking the plank into my mother's warm arms __________________________ For Contest: "Dragons"......sponsored by Silent One 7/10/12