by Rose Jermusyk.
Once it was known by persons all,
dragons were noble and answered a call;
showing each phoenix the best place to shine out,
esteem as theirs should live throughout.
But came a time that would not end
filled with the questions that no one could rend,
doubtings abounding in need of a catchall;
full steam they plagued the dragons all.
Why must the sun go away at night?
Why must the moon fade and give so less light?
Why must the stars be so many and varied?
It seems some loads must go uncarried.
One of the dragons saw the path
laying in wait for those taking the wrath.
He chose to leave his teaching behind him
to scream for someone to replace him.
Carve out your name upon this wall.
Be the sweet ember for those great and small.
Don’t let them tell you your work is without worth.
Just gleam with truth and you’ll find mirth.
Lions and tigers, bears and wolves,
all noble creatures for themselves,
strove to breathe fire though many would burn out
and teem with rage their names snuffed out.
That very dragon turns not back
even to see if some lights went black;
he has their names, that’s all he needs
for him to feel he does good deeds.
One day a goose-girl heard his call,
thought she might carve her name on that wall;
but, for all the tongues of fire in that place,
she could not see a single face.
Turning away her name was aflame,
warm in her hand her life for to claim,
she knew that was not her place to shine out
and promised to keep better count.
I carve my name into my heart,
ready to give whatever my part,
open to all I can possibly learn;
sure as I breathe, so too I burn.