Monsters

The other day, I glimpsed

a movie scene

of a dragon, breathing fire.

Its hide was thick

and thorny,

its teeth bared sharp

and spiky.

 

Some humans, they were trying

to gun it down,

the monstrous thing.

But the pelts, the bullets,

the shots that were fired

just bounced off of the dragon’s hide.

 

There were two kids

who tried placating

the dragon who

was oddly listening.

They talked to it,

tried understanding—

What is it? Tell us,

we’ll take a listen.

 

But in the mayhem,

they were brushed aside,

by the adults who were trying to fight

the dragon with

a blast of fire.

 

The dragon thus

fought fire with fire

and easily won the ensuing fight.

 

The marsh was toast,

the humans defeated.

The dragon fled,

the land devastated.

 

This monster, sure,

it will return

with fire and ruin,

the land shall burn.

Unless the pelts and bullets stop,

first, maybe pause

and then take stock.

 

Fire for fire will burn the world.

Destruction for fear

will be for naught.

 

‘Cause some monsters, they may look like such

but at their cores, they are not much

more than hearts

torn up in pain,

distorted sadness, misread banes.

 

How much more war

before we listen?

How much more blood

should we each pay?

The monsters will

keep at the ruin

unless they’re heard,

unless we listen. ♠

…

Image by Peter Thoeny [CC BY-NC-SA 2.0]

…

…

This entry is part of my undertaking a 30-day challenge Matt Cutts talked about at TED2011. The premise is to “think about something you’ve always wanted to add to your life and try it for the next 30 days.” I am challenging myself to post one blog entry a day for 30 consecutive days.

Today is Day 9.

…

• About the Author •

…

…

Advertisement