Creature of Compassion
Modern poetry modern verse contemporary poetry contemporary verse modern poem contemporary poem
Although in worlds outside of Asia some
Might think that pink and green are linked to love
Of softness, few think dragons might succumb
To sympathy. In China, though, above
All other features of the dragon reigns
Compassion. Groucho eyebrows and a smile
With whiskers set in swirling cloud domains
Of Oriental, gentle, gilded style
Pastels mixed in with reds and darker red
Present the dragon with white whiskers, pink
His lips and lids presenting reptile head
Away among the friendlies where claws slink.
Leigong produces thunder, rain and storm
So alien westerners don’t think him warm.
~ Phillip Whidden