originally published in 34THParallel Magazine
All my life I knew one day I’d sail off the edge of the world
Into the mouth of a smiling dragon
That’s me on that painted Medieval ship
Canvas billowing
Men pulling the ropes in terror
STOP!
But the world is flat & the wind has its way
So here I come!
Why so much glee, Dragon?
You hungry for me?
I’m not so tasty
I will leave your tongue bitter
And you won’t smile then—
But I like your style and
Will take you on, if you
Open your mouth, douse the flame and blow
So, what do you say?
Let’s dump this scaredy-cat crew
And sail away, for a year and a day
Until the world turns round