Speculative Chaos

Where Do You Hide Your Dragon?

Round 3 – Part 2 prompt from the Fabulous Spec-Fic Smackdown 2024: Write a speculative children's poem that includes rain, an apple, and a bicycle.

Word count = 353

"So then, where do you hide your dragon?" I asked, most sincere.

     "With fanged jaws that snatch,

     And sharp claws that catch.

     Breath of burning fire,

     So, I must inquire.

Quite difficult to hide such a fearsome beast, I fear."

Young Ivy, sitting askew on the rug,

put on a smile most sly, with book held snug.

"A dragon is most easy to hide, I would imply,

And I bid you to find it, if you would try."

"Then, perhaps under your bed?

Long scaly tail curled beneath its head?

Or in the closet, safe and sound?

There a dragon might be found."

"Nay, kind sir, a dragon is much too ginormous,

To hide one here, most abnormous.

For there is not enough room,

And they make such a smelly fume."

"Perhaps then, one might think as a cave dweller,

That a dragon might seek the root cellar.

And could a dragon reside in the pantry storeroom?

A fine place to hide, I presume."

"A cellar or pantry is no place for a dragon to be,

The root cellar is such a dank place, you see.

And a beast in the pantry would be such a feat,

For all the apples, cheese, and bread, would the dragon eat."

"Hmm, perhaps dragons might be outdoor.

Such beasts in the garden shed, I might implore?

Or concealed in the oak tree?

There, a dragon we might see."

"Oh, my silly man, is that all?

With my bicycle, the shed is still too small.

And perched in a tree, they would abstain,

For dragons most dislike the rain."

"My young Ivy, I am so perplexed,

And of this mystery, much vexed.

Tell me then, if you would abide,

Where would a dragon hide?"

"Ah, there is one place you did not look,

For might a majestic dragon hide in a book?

And in the imagination of the mind,

There a dragon, you might find."

"Of course! I should have discerned,

     There dragons shall be,

     Where imagination runs free.

     So, dear Ivy, open your book,

     And let us look.

For grand tales of dragons, I have yearned."