Get Your Premium Membership

Dragon Called "delerium Tremens"

Collapsing like someone (Starving and Desperate), the (Old Man in Blue) batik had been (Washing Muddy Walls) on his Indonesian hut on stilts when he toppled over. He was (Cut Down) and left unbalanced by (Vertigo’s Cycle). Bleeding from a cut on his forehead, he lay on the ground (Wrinkly and Wet) with sweat, Banyu was unable to rise and look for help (Through the Steamed Windows) of his hut. He never felt so (Abandoned) in his life. Somehow he had this eerie feeling it was too late to get to higher ground. He thought he could smell the pungent aroma of (Summer Onions) as he lay looking across the opening to where (Hanging Berries) were usually found. Suddenly in the clearing he saw the female Komodo staring at him while tasting the air with her slimy yellow forked tongue. (Even in Nature) an unexpected appearance of the (Komodo Dragon) turns a humans’ (Tongue into Knots). Fast becoming a (Summer of Love) late in May for the (Once Mother—Now Beast) female, she looked for a male Komodo a (Juggernaut of Love), (Pollinator) in her quest for procreation. Beyond the clearing on the ridge where cooler breezes prevail, Banyu could see a tumble of male suitors. It looked as though there were as many as (Sixty Nine Across*). He watched as it took (Two to Tear) the dead water buffalo apart as they gulped down huge chunks of flesh that set off a feeding frenzy amongst the males. Mysteriously, one by one they seemed to be affected by a (Static Calm) as they swung their reptilian heads towards Banyu. Flicking their tongue and tasting the humid air, strings of deadly saliva hung from their mouths as they squatted transfigured on Banyu. Momentarily the female played second fiddle to ravenous hunger. If he survived the attack, their deadly mouth bacteria would kill him. It is a most insidious way to die (Innocence Never Heals) that type of wound. Thinking of his gun (What is it Good For?), absolutely nothing. It hung next to the door on his hut; he could not rise to reach it anyway. Resigned to his fate everything turned into a (Montage in White) as he succumbed. The nearby villagers drove the Komodo away then held his face (to the mirror) to check for breathing. This time they were too late, his frequent heavy consumption of “Bintag and Arak” along with subsequent “DT’s” had caused a massive heart attack. Banyu avoided being eaten by the Komodo, only to be consumed by his own personal dragons! Narrative inspired by the poem titles of Ruben Ortellao.

Copyright © | Year Posted 2010




Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 6/26/2010 11:10:00 PM
Welcome to PoetrySoup, John ... I know you've been here for awhile but I have a difficult time keeping up with folks ... LOL ... saw your comment on one of Ruben's writes and had to come check this out ... great title ... and incredible imagery!! Thanks for bringing your talent to the Soup ...
Login to Reply
Date: 6/15/2010 8:02:00 AM
Wow....what a great imagination you have John!!!!! You have honored the title with this magnificent story!! No wonder Ruben is so pleased! Great work!!~
Login to Reply
Date: 6/7/2010 8:35:00 AM
Excellent John and Ruben is quite an inspirational poet to reflect his titles upon.. wonderful narrative John..your ideas and imagination flows.. enjoyed a very creative write.. with luv from the "Sweetheart"
Login to Reply

Book: Shattered Sighs