the dragon's fire
by an'ya
(Published in The Tanka Journal 2014 No. 44)
for all your
years remaining shall it
forever be
as it is in this era
of sweet dreams and lullabies
did you see
the dragon's fire in the sky
last evening
that one I sent to you
from out of our storybook
don't be sad
it has just slipped behind
a mountain range
and was swallowed by the lake
for a while to quench its flames
never fear
sleepy head the sun will rise
soon again
and although days may bring
problems in another life
nighttime shall be
no other child's fantasy
trans-versing time
is this mother's gentle chiding
awake my slumberous princess