Judith McCombs' "Dragon Song"

This morning I'd like to post the first entry into the women and music contest: Federal Poet Judith McCombs' "Dragon Song."  Above is a Japanese dragon as imagined by Kate Pfeilscheifter.  Below is a European painting of a woman and a dragon.

Dragon Song

There was a dragon loved a lady:

All his kindred thought her shady:

She was peeled instead of scaley

and where was her long green tailey?

            warned him dragons must

                        never trust

                                                a tailless, scaleless lady o.

When you fall asleep beside her

she will let another ride her:

She will pine for human words

and betray you to a sword:

            warned him dragons must

                        never trust

                                                a moody, human lady o.

Did the lady love the dragon?

When she saw his heart was sagging

she grew tired of human bragging

and of heroes' agony:

            and she thought that creatures must

                                                always trust

                                                                        what gentleness God sends us.

She's led him to her silky bed

kissed his scales and held his head:

In his claws she's found no harm

and his fires keep her warm:

            and she thinks that creatures must

                                                ever trust

                                                                        what gentleness God sends us.

  

And if the morning found them happy

who's to say what's wise or apt?

Love is precious where it's found

rare enough on mortal ground:

            blessings on all lovers

            and all others

                        waking in the morning.                      

Sing of dragons, sing of ladies,

sing of heroes in their bravery,                                                           

as you choose among your savories                                                   

think of us who lack for gravy,

keep us from the thieving poor.

Open purses, don't be greedy,

think of us, we are the needy,

keep us from the thieving poor--

if we starve we sing no more--

May you feed this year and more,

may we sing this year and more,

blessings on your noble, gentle door.

This poem was originally in Green River Review 13:1&2 (1982): 117-18.

Perhaps Billie Holiday would have been happier had a dragon fallen in love with her.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U-3O-X6UUpY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMPlKAJa6io

Or for that matter... Sandy Denny

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=00hpupoh4eU

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbnLVvAJrec

I hope to be publishing other poems that celebrate women and music.  The contest continues!