Bristling, dogs howled.

The smallest ran in circles,

unable to escape

the terror that fired with a roar

and hovered above runs and kennels.

Flame wrinkled the air

under the belly of the orange balloon-skin.

The ribs grinned like a jack-o’-lantern,

eyes lit

by a candle inside the skull.

A man held out his hand

to reassure the dogs, then he too

howled and ran in circles,

joyful that finally

the prophesied dragon had arrived,

descending with all its warheads primed,

its steel teeth bared to the gums.