The Book of Dreams

Nessie's Holiday

Along the coast of Wales,

Is a lonely rocky beach.

With a cave and tiny waterfall,

Within the sea tide reach.

I walk along here often,

Just after the sun is up.

I watch the Oystercatchers,

And sip coffee from my cup.

One gloomy winter morning,

I heard sobbing from the cave,

And made haste to see who cried,

Whose life I may have to save.

Great brown eyes regarded me.

Tears flooding around flippered feet,

Green and blue scales dimmed by shadow,

A long tail made the picture complete.

"Why are you crying?" I asked bewildered,

By the Dragon's red rimmed gaze.

"I'm homesick." The Dragon replied,

"I haven't been there for days."

"Where is your home? Is it far?"

My curiosity perked up its head.

"Why can't you go back to where you live,

And snuggle up in bed?"

"I live in the distant Loch Ness,

That place connected to the sea.

I watch the tourists and the locals

Looking out for me.

"The locals call me Nessie,

Even though it's not my name,

They make models and sell cards,

To the tourists drawn by my fame.

I used to go and talk to them,

I'd slip up onto shore.

And chat to all the local kids,

I won't be doing it any more."

"Why ever not?" I asked her then,

Sitting on a nearby rock.

"What happened to upset you?

You've cried an awful lot."

She sniffled and she snuffled,

Blowing her nose on a seaweed hanky

The tears dried up a little bit,

And she looked a lot less manky.

"One sunny morning not long ago,

I went to see a human buddy.

A nasty adult hurt my leg and fin,

And tried to drag me ashore to study.

I fought so hard to get away,

That the adult fell in the loch,

And before I could rescue him,

Hit his head on a massive rock.

The Police all thought I did it,

Despite my Buddy's cries,

And tried to shoot me in the heart,

Believing the adult's lies."

I wasn't sure just what to say,

To the lovely creature here.

So I just sat and stroked her paw,

I knew I didn't need to fear.

"You can stay in Wales for a while,"

I eventually said to her.

"I'm sure Y Draig Goch won't mind,"

And Nessie began to purr.

So if you travel to the Scots Land,

And look for Nessie there.

You won't find her at the loch,

The water will be bare.

She's happy on my rocky beach,

Playing in the sun,

And I go down almost every day,

To talk and have some fun.

Even famous monsters need,

To have some time away,

And Nessie has come down to Wales,

To have her holiday.