When he got the news that day,
his mother had said,
“Quick, go to your room.”
The look on her face
Ashen and strained.
His father in a desert
a world away.
Dead.
No, that’s not what she said.
How could it be?
His father the teacher,
the everyday architect of his dreams.
“He’s not coming back.”
Her words like the steel grating
that pinned a formidable dragon hither.
His father the peacekeeper
In a world that couldn’t care less about peace,
somewhere on the edges of an alluvial fan in the shadow of a cave,
his father fell in the dust.
Returned to the earth.
His father the artist
taught him to make
origami dragons.
Small, stalwart,
the edges of their tiny hindquarters folded sharp.
Dragons, chiseled, tight
consumers of fire and flesh.
Afraid of nothing.
As he listened to the sounds of his mother’s melancholy voice,
his mind racing to a spot where
sands shape souls.
He could create and call upon the creatures,
Veins carved into their serpentine being.
These immortal dragons, capable of conquering deserts,
devouring up the sediment evil
and the impassive ignorance
of men at war.
Wonderful writing LT!
Thanks Holly!
You’re welcome
Wow! Love the descriptive wording of this.
Wow! Outstanding piece…”the immortal dragon!” Indeed!
Thank you for your gracious comment, Balroop. 🙂
It cuts to the heart from a different viewpoint. Very timely right now. Well done!
Thank you, Jo. My heart hurts for the world, especially the children.
Powerful piece Lana! Sadly, all too familiar these days. This line was most poignant to me: In a world that couldn’t care less about peace. Sad. 🙁
Thank you Debby, it truly is sad, and even sadder it is true. Told to me by a middle school boy who lost his dad. Broke my heart!
You know Lana – it breaks my heart every day 🙁 Hugs xx
A thoughtful piece, Lana. Beautifully shared!
Thank you Iris! Hope your new year is going well.
It was a great start to 2020, thank you Lana. Now things are in full swing! Much love and best wishes for a wonderful year! Cheers! 😉
arm in sling so lower case enjoyed this imaginative piece with epic and mythical dimensions brought to ordinary life situations
Thanks so much, Dave. Glad you enjoyed it. Hope your arm is better soon.
thanks