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.]
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