Traveling away from the City, it would seem that our two intrepid companions journey farther and farther into a dusky zone between the conventional world and a magical one. Argose seems prepared for this new wrinkle in the adventure and stands princely in the challenge. Check out the description of the Dragon. Can you see her? What is your reaction to her profile and attitude. It may be interesting to consider that she is the only one of her kind. Perhaps not. Either way, she is a majestic creature straight out of a tale of sailors and their reported sea monsters. The narrative now enters a new plateau, a gate of sorts. Check your reactions to this shift.
Argose’s hackles rise as he wind-scents
the reptile languid in the warming sun
My dog has taken a keen interest now
lopes toward the ship and stands beneath barking
As I catch up and get a closer view
The lizard cocks its head – eyes flutter wide
exposing red with thick, double eyelids
Argose growls and snaps his teeth conjointly
The creature grasps the bowsprit with webbed toes
each one tipped with a sturdy, russet claw
This must be how it climbed aloft, secured
by those twenty formidable toes grasping
Stubby wings emerge as it turns towards Argose
They are red beneath and in shape much like
the barbed shield running down its spine
fleshy shield borne on its back like a sail
Wings arch like an eagle’s and slowly flap
not enough for flight – more for good balance
Argose grr-uffs planting his paws on the hull
As the Dragon – for so it must be – turns
to face Argose, its long, spiked tail whips ‘round
and it voices guttural croaks and grunts
Argose stops barking, drops his head and whines
With one gigantic turn, the Dragon leaps
and lands dropping to face Argose, not me
I sense it is female – a true warrior
wearing scaly armor made in dragons’ forge
Argose pulls lips back from his savage teeth
reverse miniatures of the dragon’s spikes
The lizard takes two bold steps toward Argose
while I stand frozen hoping not to draw
attention as Argose commands his ground
and mammal and reptile set in stand-off
The spiked dragon has more to say with clicks
croaking and a sort of high silver note
Argose steps a tentative paw closer
stretches his neck – twitches his moist, black nose
Dragon shakes her head and flares her nostrils
taking in the canine’s scent, as if she
tries to make sense of this furry creature
As these two regard each other, more talk
clicks, croaks, and high whistling from the dragon
and strangely, strings of whimpers, whines, and growls
yips-yaps from Argose who strikes a play bow
The great reptile gracefully spins her dance
sliding near the broken hull like lava
Now, stranger than strange, I speak to them both
and suddenly I can comprehend them
Argose, up from his bow, jumps side to side
on his front paws enthusiastically
The huge lizard sways in similar cadence
Now, I begin to move, dancing in circles
throwing up my hands and stamping my feet
The three of us make a joyous trio
But wait!
Background
Here we have another nautical image, the beached and broken ship. Are you curious about the ship’s past? In this part of the story, the ship appears to be a set piece with little to do with the story line. A “ship” has been ferrying the main character on the journey undertaken. Now we have one at a full stop, dead on the beach. It is a symbol of disintegration and uselessness, except as a perch for this new Dragon. More magic is afoot: a Star Trek universal translator of sorts; dog, human, and Dragon can speak and understand each other. In legends there is talk of the Dragon Tongue, said to be magical, and understood only by some favored ones.
Exploration 1: What do you think of Argose’s courage in facing the Dragon? The main character’s stance?
Exploration 2: Do you believe in magic? Why or why not? If not, what would it take to allow you to believe in it? If you follow a religious tradition, is there one or more elements of magic present in your path?
Exploration 3: What does the beached and broken ship represent in this narrative?
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