Chinatown
and there I met an old man.
I asked him the way to Main St.
he gently took my hand.
He guided me down an alleyway
to a door inside a wall.
We walked on through the doorway
to stand inside a great hall.
He pulled me down the hallway to a room
and in this giant space,
I gazed upon a giant canvas
that held a dragon’s face.
It had breath like fire
and sparkling ruby eyes.
A golden horn adorned it’s head
and scales adorned it’s sides.
It’s massive claws looked sharp and mean,
and it’s tail, a great barbed mace.
It had a mocking flair of nostrils
and a smile creased it’s snake-like face.
I stood awe struck at this masterpiece
that could terrify and amaze,
and I was shocked to see a flame appear
and the old man light it ablaze.
I screamed in great frustration
as I ran to stop the flames,
but a secret hand wrote in the fire
a burning list of names.
I stared with concentration
at the list before my eyes,
as I saw my given name appear
next to my list of lies.
I cried in full confession
in a voice of sorrow and shame,
and looked once more at the flaming list
that held my fiery name.
I ran from the smoking room
and in my hurry fell.
But the helpful hands of the old man
made sure that I was well.
Together we dashed back outside
to the alley with the door.
We fell into a tired heap
as the flames began to soar.
The old man looked at me and winked
then said with a smile and nod,
” You travel too far from home,
turn back and follow God.”
The old man disappeared in a flash
before the arrival of the crowd.
A home was destroyed and a lie found out
Because I ventured into Chinatown.
