The Dragon

The Dragon
The dragon woke at 7 AM.
It stretched languidly,
talons scratching the cement floor.
The workers arrived to feed it
and cater to its every need.
Shoveling coal and timber into its gaping mouth,
they work tirelessly to satisfy its monstrous appetite.
The townsfolk claim they need the dragon,
it provides warmth and energy for them.
But the dragon breathes toxic fumes,
poisoning the land, the air, the water.
Slowly, it kills the hands that feed it,
and more replacements come.
One day, its supply of workers will run out
and the last puff of smog will linger
like the black smoke over a funeral pyre.

© 2/06/06





Contest- ***Closed***

Congrats to Lynn Hicks for being the first to respond, and also Ro-Poetry Advocate, crumbledcookie, puppysgirl, Valerie_Ortiz, space_ghost_poet, Zila Kaimi, and mattie wears a *grin* for entering. All of the guesses were close enough that I just split the prize between them. Thanks for entering!