Having Fun While the World Burns

Smogust Day 5 submission

No creature is meant for captivity

Not a human, dwarf, dragon, or mouse.

Having felt the relief of release from his chains

Elbert now finds himself stuck once again.

A house is no place for a dragon.

He needs space to spread his broad wings

A dangerous day in the outdoors means

No fun for dragons or boys

Elbert and Ronnie’s adventures must wait

For the violence to abate.

“What shall we do?” Ronnie wondered aloud.

“We have all this time we must fill.”

No fires or mischief today, not for a well-behaved pair

“We must think of something,” Elbert replied,

blowing puffs and rings of smoke in the air.

The thing both most enjoyed was to snack

And the kitchen downstairs was fully packed

With all sorts of treats and salty cured meats

Really good eats for a growing young man and his dragon.

It’s a shame for the world to come to an end

When such innocent creatures just long to find friends.

Fire and ash, rocks and debris

Rain down on a planet in distress.

While in the kitchen safely bunkered

Two friends hunkered down with their spread

Unintentionally making a mess, but did it matter?

They cherished their time together, whatever may happen outside.

With their stomachs full, the pair stared at the carnage of food and of trash

Then Elbert bent down, while his friend was turned around, and dumped onto his head some beef hash.

Poor Ronnie gasped with surprise

Then got a mischievous look in his eyes

And returned fire with a fistful of fries.

So back and forth they went

Throwing any food they could grip

For hours it seemed, until they no longer cared

About the danger or threat in the air.

With bellies stuffed from snacking

And muscles tired from horseplay,

The boy and his dragon fell asleep

Dreaming of a world not bombarded

Where man and beast coexist in peace

And friends and family aren’t parted.