A cardinal squawking from the closest tree
stops when I look right at him
as if he got his point across
the air suddenly feels cool
it’s like he was warning me
there’s only so much time
Sunset hides behind a cloud
the cloud becomes a giant, luminous dragon
breathing sunset fire
crackling the house next door into flame
the trees, the line of bushes
every one of them on fire
the air suddenly feels cool
the dragon becomes a silhouette, loses interest, turns away
A minute later, he is stretched out, sleeping
intricate bird calls turn to simpler chirps
even the trees seem to be resting
the scent of something floral marches through
it’s easy to feel loyalty to this army
the air suddenly feels cool
the dragon’s mouth hangs open and he begins to snore
his teeth elongate into fangs
he grows more ferocious the deeper he sleeps
What will he be by morning?