Little dragons of the sand
regal and small
the flicker of a dark eye
they watched there
as we
crafted hours of cousin play
those dragons scampered
free and easy
front porch to open fields.
Little did I know
as the years blasted us
that I would return to
walk upon those
time worn sands
under the melting sun
that we would speak no more
after you left
in your camo suit
for other deserts
and war-torn spaces.
I did not understand
the little dragons
would leave
maybe out searching
for other children
in a world before pesticide
and habitat destruction
maybe choosing to become fairies
that packed up
in the midst of a new sun streaming
and left
our childhood home.
I like the segueway…chilling.
Thanks Marissa!
So beautifully done – so heart-wrenching!
Thank you, Pauline…. xo
Never been a fan of toads, Lana, but I love the way you’ve used them here. Something sad about this portion of the past.
Thank you, Debbie. Yes, it is a bit sad and wistful, the end of an era for sure…
Beautifully said, Lana. Reminds me of a friend’s poem, about how nature is smarter than humans because it knows when to move on. He says the fish swim away from Lake Erie’s “dead zones” but the Rust Belt folks continue to cast hopeful lines into the water and refuse to leave their hometowns even though there is nothing left there to sustain them–no more car plants, steel mills, jobs, etc. 🙂
Awe, Joan. That poem about the Rust Belt does sound sad….sad and beautiful. Nature is like that, and I think we do cast our hopeful lines. It is so terrible to lose plants and animals…and places too. When I was a child, the horned lizards were all over my part of Texas, I never see them anymore. There could be many factors, but pesticides used in farming has been mentioned several times. Thank you so much.
Such memories! I have not seen a horny toad in ages but I read that they are being brought back in some areas. Well done!
Oh wow, Jo, I had not heard that, I so hope it happens! It makes me so sad to think they could disappear. I haven’t seen one in the part of Texas where I grew up since probably the 1980s. Thank you, I hope you are having a lovely holiday weekend 😀
You’ve introduced me to this interesting creature… it’s a shame it’s becoming extinct. Lovely descriptive poem!
Thanks, Iris. The plight of the horned lizard is really sad….
Yes, it’s so true when they used to be part of the beautiful environment. Thanks for the interesting information… you’re welcome, Lana. 🙂
Lana, this is so sad…a heavy sense of melancholy. Man’s destruction on this planet is evident all around, even from these tiny lizards that brought you so much enjoyment as young.
This is very true, Annika. It surely makes me sad to read where we have lost an animal or plant species. The current attitude (in power) of people who are ignoring climate change and environmental concerns are also distressing. I love to see things like community gardens and those multi-story greenhouses in cities that grow fruits, vegetables, and other wonderful plants. These things always give us encouragement.
A beautiful poem for Memorial Day, Lana. It brought tears to my eyes for the little children everywhere whose little dragons are replaced by bigger, fiercer dragons with scales like armor. Perhaps someday the little dragons won’t need to go searching for other children, and we can grow old with childlike peace, joy, and wonder. <3
Thank you so much for the gracious compliment, Diana. Perhaps someday there will be such a world, a world where dragons can be appreciated no matter how small. I would love to grow old in exactly such a manner infused with the marvels of childhood. XOxo
This was touching and beautiful Lana. We can all hope for a world once again where little dragons will come back and play again. 🙂 <3
Thank you, Debby. We can surely hope for that world. 😀 xo
<3
Reblogged this on John Cowgill's Literature Site.
Thanks John!
You are very graciously welcome.
So sad and beautiful at the same time, Lana! All dragons should be cherished, no matter if they’re real or mythical. No other creature has inspired artist of all kinds more, well except the unicorn maybe… 😄 xxx
I love the idea of cherishing dragons, Sarah! Dragons and unicorns, wonderful inspiration indeed. Hope you are doing well and having a terrific week 😀
You too have a fantastic week with lots of inspiration, creativity and sunshine, Lana! 🙂 xoxo