The One – #11: Dragons True – Segment: 2

Originally published May 11, 2020...

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?