Vignettes: Hatching Season

*

There weren’t always

dragons in the Valley.

There wasn’t always

a Valley in the sun.

The weight of majesty

bent the land

into hatching grounds.

The dragons always return

in the spring.

*

The shells of dragons' eggs

are tough, built strong

to contain

the wonders of the world.

Jeweled treasure wrapped in gold.

*

Perched atop white walls

overlooking azure seas

three golden basilisks

tails swirling

around clawed toes.

*

Mama’s brood left behind

in an olive grove.

Hatchlings peek,

Hatchlings seek.

Easy prey.

*

The rainbow girls

azure, emerald, crimson, gold,

provide bright contrast.

Lizard dance

amid fallen marble columns.

*

Some spar, claws flashing.

Some sleep, tails curled on noses.

Some watch, wings ready for flight.

*

Breathless air

summer heat

dragon's scales

shimmer magic behind

as he bounds away

seeking shade from the relentless sun.

*

Nose to tail up crumbling marble steps

a parade of baby dragons

in search of dinner.

*

Orange & white mistress

of air and sea

regally crosses the expanse

of an ancient mosaic courtyard.

What is she plotting?

*

Multidragons ~~~~~~ purring ~~~~~~~ suncurled.

*

Lithe as a leopard

wyvern stalks

streaking amongst pigeons.

The flock is undisturbed

but one is gone.

*

Racing down a cobbled alley

in Mykonos’ sun

scaley shadows.

*

Suckling in an overgrown garden

nestled in a grassy burrow

white dragonlets, black spots

barely larger than

milk-bloated mice.

*

What creature possesses

such joie de vivre

as a fearless dragon?

Master of the universe.

*

Green eyes swirling

excitement

black scales rising

ears drawn back

strike or fly?

*

Dragonlets

tucked

into mama’s

curled form

like birds

in the nest.

Sapphire dragonling.

Ruby dragonling.

Emerald dragonling.

Basket of jewels

worth more than

a king.

*

Do the ancient gods

whisper

into temple dragon’s ears?

*

Reptilian eyes peer out between tumbled stones.

They have seen the stars

They have seen between the worlds.

*

Spitfire in silver and gold

feints at stone gryphon’s nose

long-suffering friend.

*

Grecian toys?

dragon-in-the-box.

*

Claws in the air

spotted infant

stretches his tail

in the sun.

*

Stalking dragonflies

a baby basilisk streaks

along low white walls

leaving a trail

of fire.

*

How can someone so young

and foolish

appear so wise?

Sphinx in disguise.

Dragon in training.

*

Hydra on the wharf

Sea dragon drawn to the scent

of fresh-caught fish.

*

Orange head tilted to the left

marmalade dragonling rests

three steps up

a Cyclades stairway.

Owning cool marble.

Owning cool attitude.

*

Wild infants at play

scamper inside

discarded amphora.

Wine-soaked dragons.

*

Black ears, green eyes peer over

the garden wall.

Midnight dragons.

*

Tethered donkey

panniers emptied of cargo

nuzzles a new-hatched lizard

curiosity turned about.

One day he will be dinner.

*

Past the wooden door

of a whitewashed church

with turquoise trim

a Queen dragon strides.

Tail swishing

side to side,

she clears the path

of discarded faiths.

*

On the flagstone terrace

seventeen hatchlings clustered.

Sunbasking infants, tails entwined.

Lizard mosaic of ever-shifting pieces.

*

Weathered wooden crates

piled high in shades of gray

frame a golden dragon

perched high.

Thus will he sit

when he is King.

*

Beneath a cracked stone bench

dragonlets await sunrise.

*

The free-verse vignettes that comprise this poem were inspired by the old tabletop book of photos, The Kittens of Greece. In my mind, I replaced the kittens in the photos with baby dragons and their mamas. Wouldn’t it be amazing if, perhaps in another time or another dimension, dragons trod the hills and groves and rocky shores of the Greek isles, basking in the sun, coiling around ruined columns and shattered temples, and living life on their own terms, without fear of human predators? What a peaceful existence! For the dragons, anyway. Nearby herds of cattle (aurochs?), on the mainland, perhaps, would need to be wary. Unless Grecian dragons are fishers and feed their young on the bounty of the azure seas.

In another world,

In another time,

So mote it be!

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I have challenged myself to write twenty-seven dragon prologues/stories for the Vocal.media Fantasy Prologue Challenge, one for each day the challenge runs. Here's a link to my next entry: