Day 14: National Poetry Month
About a thousand (maybe 35) years ago, I wrote a poem that is still one of my favorites. Once upon a time, it was considered, and ultimately rejected, for publication as a children’s book. Apparently, the publisher had concerns about its lighthearted and cavalier attitude towards the burning of a house and they worried that it might encourage a whole generation of budding arsonists.
Adults are weird.
Rowan Murphy, a long-tme online friend from pre-internet GEnie days, read the poem and made a black and white illustration for it. Such a marvelous illustration it was! Recently, she has been doing digital art, AI art, and animation. I teased her and asked her if she could give me an updated, animated version of the “dancing dragon” she created from my poem:
Dancing Dragon
When I awoke this morning,
at the first cold light of dawn,
I looked outside, and found
A dancing dragon on the lawn.
He did a soft-shoe shuffle,
Then he doffed his hat, you see.
I’ll believe in you,” he said,
“If you’ll believe in me.”
Well, little did the dragon know
That I was predisposed
To trust in anything with wings.
But now I’m sure he knows.
A dragon’s laughter brightly burns,
And cauterizes pain.
For when a dancing dragon laughs,
Dark thoughts cannot remain.
The neighbors think I’ve lost my mind.
Perhaps I have, at that.
My mother wonders why
I’m not content with just a cat.
They say they wouldn’t let
A dragon on their lawns to graze.
They fear he’ll set the house afire
Amidst the games he plays.
Well, if the house goes up in flames,
There’ll be a wienie roast.
We’ll warm ourselves before the blaze,
And drink a friendly toast.
Fine houses are on every street,
But dancing dragons, well…
When you’ll find another’s something
You can never tell.
I wouldn’t chain him if I could,
He’ll wander where he will.
But I can hope when next I look,
He’s dancing out there, still.
Sure Enough, He IS!
Thank you, Rowan!
Other National Poetry Month Posts
- National Poetry Month, Texas Style!
- Apricots: a Tanka Encompassing Three Prompts
- Bee Sting: Day 2 of National Poetry Month
- Cacophony and CBD: Day 3 in Nonsense Verse and Found Poetry
- Technically, a Writer: Day 3 of National Poetry Month
- Dive: Day 4 of National Poetry Month
- Storm Front: Day 4 of National Poetry Month
- Energized: Day 5 of National Poetry Month
- Grump: Day 5 ½ of National Poetry Month
- Future Frittered Away: Day 6 of National Poetry Month
- Hell, Hell, Hell: Day 7 (More or Less) of National Poetry Month
- Insomnia: Day 8 of National Poetry Month
- Juxtaposition: Day 9 of National Poetry Month
- Knife Edge: Day 10 of National Poetry Month
- Lost a Day: Day 11 of National Poetry Month
- Many Definitions: Day 12 of National Poetry Month
- New Form – Quadrille Quaiku: Day 13 of National Poetry Month
- Ode to Imagination: Day 14 of National Poetry Month
- Pixellated People: Day 15 of National Poetry Month
Your Turn!
Who, aside from family, are your “oldest” online friends? (Not in age, but in longevity of the connection.) I have many online friends from almost 40 years ago. Some, I’ve met. Many, I have yet to meet.
Adults ARE weird. Can you imagine thinking a children’s book that mentions the dangers of fire would create a generation of little arsos? Anyway, I adore the poem AND the animation! ❤️
What a rush to have someone who does fan art for you.
And such beautiful art!