The dragon legend twists through time in tales
of daring knights and "damsels in distress",
the villain in his might with armoured scales,
an evil force that man could not suppress.
A dragon lies beneath the angel's feet,
St. Michael stands with fiery sword in hand
in ancient war which still is not complete
as Satan strives against his lord's command.
A dragon wrought in gold for royal dress
defends with drive and courage all he owns;
a token for the duty of noblesse,
the symbol of the strength behind a throne.
A legend - as itself - may not exist,
but myth explains why dragon lore persists.
Author notes
Photo by the author - St. Michael, Castello Nuovo, Naples
"How should we be able to forget those
ancient myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into
princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses
who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps
everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless
that wants help from us. "
http://allpoetry.com/opoem/20413-Rainer-Maria-Rilke-Fear-of-the-Inexplicable-wbr-
In a list
A contest entry
- I AM A SUCKY SONNET WRITER SONNET CONTEST by Swan song.
850 points, ended January 4, 2008, 24 entries
Silver trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest - Dragons by Keith.
700 points, ended June 22, 14 entries
Bronze trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Thanks for reading!
Comments
1 - 18 of 18
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Congratulations on the bronze trophy, a beautiful sonnet.
Sue
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Excellent sonnet; together with some interesting facts about dragon lore. My favourite dragon is the ice dragon from Noggin the Nog (a British children's series from the past.). Here is a link to it:
http://www.nogginthenog.co.uk/development/main_pages/sagas/the_ice_dragon.htm -
you must have read my mind or peeked into my bathtub where I was just lying (laying ?) with my new book about he mystical meaning of fairy-tales ... each archetype was masterfully explained and the seven steps towards enlightenment approached ... as I'm on a fairy-tale-trip at the moment, the synchronicities seeme to float in from all sides ...
maybe the dragon corresponds to the wolf in the fairytale ? who knows ...
I love your sonnet, as I love your enlighening authornotes - I agree that fear is love disguised and that behind each monster waits a prince or princess ... must let that soak in ...
funny coincidence also that you wrote this poem on december 9th, your birthday I think ? one day after my name-day and one day before my little brother's birthday (even the same year) ...
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You are getting a lot out of your book! I don't know if the dragon could have the same symbolic meaning as the wolf. Archetypes are very useful. Since people have had the same form and concerns for thousands of years, it makes sense to have stories that relate wisdom and are easy to remember. I must look into them again.
My birthday was Dec 11 - one day after your brother's. I hope he is thriving.
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very enjoyable, Margaret. Congrats on the win. I am curious not to see or hear of more dragon lore in this part of Germany, aside from St. George on many fountains. I guess every knight must hope that the dragon they married might transform into the princess of their dreams.
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A splendidly wrought sonnet... with an interesting variation on the "Shakespearean" rhyme-scheme. And some delicate touches of alliteration - but never overdone...
And the subject is one dear to me personally, since
St Michael is patron saint of a number of people and things of importance in my life - among others: the RAF, fire-fighters (co-patron with St Florian!), and, of course, my beloved Kyiv!
Happty (Julian) Christmas!
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Thank you Vera - well done you too!
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This is a lovely sonnet. Smooth as silk. The content is excellent and very very creative. This is excellent
Thank you for entering and good luck
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Thank you for silver in your contest, I am happy this work pleased you.
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nicely done margaret. personally i like dragons, am glad you gave them some positive press. good luck with it!
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Ah, Such a wondrous narrative ...
and such an imaginative pen! Good luck in the contest, Margaret, this is a sure winner.
Love
Myra
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St. Michael. It makes a change from St George who probably never existed and if he did wasn't even English! The three Lions are French (spit) I hate Normans.The Coeur De Lion hated England and the English, so Asset stripped her to pay for his soldiers in France!
The right and proper flag is, The Crown and Crossed Arrows with The Wessex Wyvern of the KING.
Dragons have four legs and Wyverns two.
I shall get off my soap box now. Hec-hem.
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St. George is patron of Moscow as well as England, but I also prefer St. Michael, general of the angels and patron of the city where I live now, Kyiv.
Thank you for your interesting comment and applause!
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Legend...as is fable, would lay it's truth upon the table, and the promise of golden endings. I've noticed an interesting thing about this lore here on AP...the dragons symbolize strenth and protection more than they do consuming terror. I like that, because all too often we have dragons to slay first in thought and always the evil in war. I've always read fairy tales, but legend seems more. You poem stirs my thoughts, Margaret. *light*
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Enjoyable explanation of the persistence of dragon lore. Beautiful rhyming and iambic pentameter!
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Dragon Lore
My favorite dragon is "Puff the Magic Dragon". Or that ever misunderstood dragon that just wants to be loved. Yet, I have to say that I also love the name of contest runner this poem is entered in, Swan Song. What a beautiful poet name. Good luck in contest...
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This sonnet is very inspiring. I love mythological lore and poetry. This poem sort of goes along with the music I'm playing, as I am listening to some Celtic music. I would love to write in an old fashioned style. This is truly a gem. It's magical. I have to look at more of your poetry.
~Gabrielle
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A really good sonnet. I like how you used some really good words and the sonnet is in a great structure. Well done and goot luck
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