It’s Tuesday, and the dVerse Poets Pub is open with hot dragon-cooked snacks and beverages, as well as a selection of delicious dragon poetry.  I’m Kim from writinginnorthnorfolk.com, your host for this week’s Poetics.

For centuries there have been poems about dragons. In some, they are portrayed as menacing, violent creatures that must be defeated. In others, they represent a source of wisdom, a protector of the innocent, or a treasure guardian. Dragons have also been used as metaphors for internal struggles.

^{William Blake (British, 1757–1827) The Great Red Dragon and the Woman Clothed with the Sun (Rev. 12: 1–4), ca. 1803–1805 – Brooklyn Museum}

In children’s poetry, dragons are often portrayed as friendly creatures, inspiring wonder and awe in young readers. One of my favourite dragon poems to teach younger pupils was ‘A Small Dragon’ by Brian Patten.

It’s a magical, atmospheric poem. Who wouldn’t like to think that a small dragon might live in a woodshed, or indeed any shed? What endears it to me is that it comes from Love Poems, a collection for adults about relationships, and Patten describes this poem as one that wasn’t intended for children but was adopted by them.

An effective dragon poem captures the essence of power, mystery, and ancient wisdom. It weaves vibrant imagery that paints a picture of a creature both majestic and fearsome, evoking a sense of awe and wonder, exploring the dragon’s connection to elemental forces and its place in mythology and folklore. An excellent example of this kind of poem is ‘Far over the Misty Mountains Cold’ by J.R.R. Tolkien.

In this poem, dragons are formidable creatures guarding vast treasures, embodying danger and power. The motif of a brave hero confronting a dragon to claim its treasure is a recurring trope, symbolizing the triumph of human courage over beastly adversity.

A poem that transforms the dynamic between the characters in Saint George and the Dragon is ‘Not my Best Side’ by U. A. Fanthorpe.

It’s the classic tale of the knight and dragon from the dragon’s perspective. It subverts the traditional charisma of the hero by comparing his physical attributes with the dragon.

^{Saint George and the Dragon by Paolo Ucello found on Wikipedia}

Your challenge is to write a poem about a dragon:

• You could start with a strong image, a scene that instantly transports the reader to a realm of imagination.
• Try to get under the skin of your dragon and into its essence, conveying its majesty or personality, and a sense of wonder and awe. Explore its predatory instincts, fiery breath, ancient wisdom, its magic or vulnerability.
• Unveil the dragon’s enigmatic nature, hinting at its concealed motives and the depths of its consciousness, its capacity for both destruction and creation, its fierce independence and its connection to the elements.
• Your poem should culminate in an unexpected twist or revelation, a moment that leaves the reader pondering long after they have finished reading, a surprising insight or a hidden truth that challenges assumptions.

If you are new to dVerse and/or Poetics, here’s how to join in:

• Write a poem in response to the challenge;
• Enter a link directly to your poem and your name by clicking Mr Linky below;
• There you will find links to other poets, and more will join, so check back for their poems;
• Read and comment on other poets’ work – we all come here to have our poems appreciated;
• Please link back to dVerse from your site/blog;
• Comment and participate in our discussion below, if you like. We are a friendly bunch of poets.
• Have fun.

Mister Linky is open until Thursday 3 p.m EST.