The Creator made dragons
like everything in the universe ...
with a purpose. 
Oh, but the dragon was gifted
with a special purpose. 
Many were created to fulfill the mission
but only one now remains.

You see, humankind became too fearful
to live in peace with the dragons.
They were different, they were mysterious
and they were powerful.
Perhaps humans were afraid
because the dragon never used its power
as a negative force against other creatures.
This was a strength and a wisdom that mankind lacked.

So stories were invented
to deceive the people into believing
that the dragons were evil creatures
with the desire to kill, destroy
and to rule over humans.
Because of the hysteria that grew,
great hunters were commissioned,
many of them called “knights”,
to exterminate the dragon with all malice.
The rulers of kingdoms
gladly paid a handsome price for the slaughter.

The dragons could have fought back
and they would have easily won
but they had an oath against killing,
even for self-defense,
so they died bravely with dignity
and with tears in their eyes.
One by one they fell
throughout the land like rain
and kings drank their blood,
hoping to gain the dragon’s power
but none had the heart of a dragon
so all their lust was in vain.
Only one dragon escaped the massacre
and hid itself in a place
where human eyes could not see.

The dragon lived many years in solitude
waiting to fulfill its mission
and, finally, the day came.
In the moments of twilight,
the dragon began breathing fire
(that was actually a truth spoken of them).
But their breath is not foul like sulfer
as people were made to believe.
The dragon’s breath is sweet
as the fragrance of flowers and fruit.
The dragon was preparing to give birth,
which is a once-in-a-lifetime event for dragons
because, upon doing so, they die.
So in birth there is death
and in death there is birth.
This is the Way.

The dragon drew one last breath
and kissed the mouth of its newborn,
exhaling the fire into its lungs.
And with this final act of Love,
she closed her eyes forever.
Now, understand the mystery
of the dragon and its significance:
The earth kept turning,
 the sun kept rising,
the waters still flowed
and the wind remained.
Life, as we know it, continued,
the dragon’s mission accomplished.

And so it goes ... as long as one dragon still breathes.

by PoetOfLight