A Dragon's Love (English sonnet)

by Ben Pickard

Is that a serpent's tail that breaks the cave -
The shimmer of a scale amidst the dark?
I must now steel my nature and be brave
Then shoot my arrow unto yonder mark.
There is such beauty told among the bards
Of sights that live in realms of fantasy;
So I now cross these final fretful yards
To rid myself of this damned purgat'ry.
What malice that which shines from speckled eye -
Is spite the overwhelming dragon's muse?
It is with much regret that I now spy
A poisoned chalice I cannot refuse.
When falling on love's often shiny scales,
Beware the serpent's fang that might impale.

--

Ben Pickard