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

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Mason Avatar
June 26, 2010 at 11:10 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 ...
Richards Avatar
June 15, 2010 at 8:02 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!!~
Sweetheart Avatar
June 7, 2010 at 8:35 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"
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