Dragon Tale

(From the Gypsy Tales)

The mountains loomed like hungry vultures

as the Gypsy lady’s wagon swayed on the trail
her gaze searching for a forbidden culture;
hidden signs amongst the rocks: whence a scale.

This her task to find a certain Master Dragon

who’s breath lay like mist to the ground;
a sweet odor like no herb within her wagon
breathed deep within her all around.

She pulled on the reins as her horse’s nostrils cleared

with steam as air fogged so cooled
and from nowhere the one all feared
as land and air shook with words from whom ruled:

“Mother Gypsy, why do you cross my land:

Turn and leave as I command.”

With a sly little smile she locked the wagon brake

and climbed down to the ground not afraid
and spoke “I have a task to complete make no mistake
for I am here on behalf of a Life Fairy of the Glade.”

The Dragon’s eye’s sparked and wings drew tight as he roared:

“Who are you, human; that dare speak of this goddess?”
The Gypsy Lady beckoned: “Look deep into my eyes, oh lord;
for only there you will find the answer, no less.”

With it’s great neck bent downward, eyes inches away

locked deep within shifting secrets from one to another;
shook this Dragon as he quickly pulled away
and hissed: “You are not of this earth, great mother!”

“We fought our battles centuries ago

with many treaties signed and decreed,
and it is too soon for the timeline flow
to enable you to stand here before me.”

With a wave of her hand, the Gypsy Lady whispered:

I am neither here nor there, but a task it be
that brings me to you; we must confer:
the Fairy of the Life Clan has a request, you see.”
 The Dragon snorted fire high into the air.
“You know, I can not refuse a request
from this Fairy of Life’s care;
so speak the asking on her bequest.”

The Gypsy Lady spread her arms and spoke,

“From hence forth three days shall pass
that you or your clan disturb human folk
and you shall meet the Lady at the glades grass.”

And with that she turned her back to the Dragon

and stood by her horse stroking its mane
then turning to alight once more on her wagon:
“And what say you Dragon, are you able to refrain?”

With its talons clenched and nostrils aflame,

the Dragon seemed ready to roast the outlander.
But as the air released from its lungs so tame
the Master Dragon realized its inner candor.

“I and all my clan will abide the Fairy’s request

for we are bound her and I
for you see we are of the same crest.”
“We live and die by kiss or a sigh..”

“But, of you Gypsy Lady; we must meet once more;

for you to vindicate your spirit
here on this good earth with your lore
and aurora that you transmit.”

The Gypsy Lady smiled and fondly spoke,

“These are tales that are yet to be told:
The Meeting in the Glade of Folk
and of Earth’s Battle of Old.”

And with that her wagon she turned around

as the Dragon knew in three days
they would meet again on Fairy ground
for the future surrounded her ablaze.

Randy Rowe

Copyright: 2010