Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Rik George writes



Provoke No Dragons

“Provoke no dragons when the moon 
floats fat above the redwood tree,” 
I tell you, “or if you hear a loon 
complaining to the stars of death 
or taxes Congress levies on tea, 
keep still.  Polish no tiger teeth; 
don't let the lions come indoors. 
Don't tease the purple apes or play 
with adders when you take your bath, 
and don't feed stranger manticores 
raw peanuts when I must be away. 
I want you safe when I come home.” 
You nod compliantly.  That same day 
I leave, you buy a leopard to tame.
 

1 comment:

  1. The manticore (Early Middle Persian Martyaxwar, "man-eater" from martya "man" and xwar "to eat") has the body of a red lion, a human head with three rows of sharp teeth,(like a shark, sometimes bat-like wings, and a trumpet-like voice. It may be horned, winged, or both. The tail is that of a dragon or a scorpion, and it may shoot venomous spines to paralyze or kill its victims. It devours its prey whole and leaves no clothes, bones, or possessions behind.

    ReplyDelete

Join the conversation! What is your reaction to the post?