Last night I dreamed I walked the shore.
A dragon slept, red-gold and grand,
Across my path upon the sand.
In fear I trembled, stood in awe,
And hardly dared to breathe, lest I
Should wake him and incur his wrath.
As stealthily I crept on by
Upon the narrow sea-side path,
I tripped and gave a startled cry.
The dragon stirred and raised his head.
Rampant he stood; askance he gazed.

Fire from his nostrils blazed.
His rippling scales pulsed gold and red.
Trembling in terror I bowed low
Before the beast’s magnificence,
Then implored him, eye to eye.
He settled back. He let me by.
His glance conveyed that I could go.
He scorned my insignificance.