Dragons For Contest, Written 18 Oct '15

Down they swooped, so keen, In perfect vee formation Bronzes, browns, a green Two blues and, showing elation, Lastly, at midpoint, the great golden Queen Beloved of our tiny nation, Their plate sized eyes awhirr As they sought new station. The sulphur smell Near knocked us out Reminiscent of the hell Of the recent rout. They parted ranks to let her through She landed, claws ascreech Then the cohhort came in two by two Onto the hold’s deserted beech. We stood and stared, such is their beauty Wiry wings preening, scales a-gleaming, Nostrils wide, flaring; we forgot our duty Watching the huge claws, necks and tails a-steaming. A cry was heard, we’d near forgotten The riders perched high and tiny a-dragon back We caught ‘em as they slid down harness rotten From exposure to dragon-flame And invasive. searing enemy thread Dragonback fighting is no game ‘Twas a mercy none were dead. Into the hot baths the riders tumbled Soon to get out, red and scrubbed, And all to refectory they then stumbled And as they ate, shoulders would be rubbed. Outside dragons noble, groomed, of all harnesses relieved Rose as one and pointed to the prairie Soon became small, on their way to feed On herd-beasts fleshy and not too hairy And so we went to the inner ring, there To spread fresh grass for dragons’ beds And check their water with great care And bring pillows for their noble heads. [Apologies to Anne McCaffrey.]