Dragon's Egg

A man went to the desert, seeking heat
to warm the cold stone egg he called a heart.
The sun blazed down, the sand blistered his feet.
He felt the stone grow warm, then split apart.

Then from his chest a sheet of flame unfurled
his flesh consumed, his bones to ashes burned.
And new-made, jewelled eyes looked on the world
dead stone to living dragonet had turned.

Who knows what shape the soul will take, released?
For caged within these leaden lumps of clay
go angels, devils, strange and marvelous beasts
bizarre, miraculous and everyday.

Turn and look back-- your footprints on the trail
the marks of paws or claws or dragging tail.