Once

Liquid eyes (once bright) silvered and dulled
Wicked glints replaced by opaque pools
Reflecting empty silence
It presses the massive head down, low, into defeat
Tall gray masonry, strong and new
Ringing with voices, happy and bright
A girl’s voice
She found him there; he kept her
Eternal sunrise — his scarlet scales
Yet vibrant, lasting beyond his youth
Blood red stars
The deceptiver luster of a weary heart
Snakelike ivy, tiny invasive tendrils
Dimming whispers. weak and feeble
Growing old
She stayed, but for one frail moment more
Wings tucked back, as sentient armor
Drawn in tightly, close for comfort
Insufficient solace
From sharp and hollow desolation
Crumbling walls, ivy grown green and dark
Lingering ghosts of dreams and echoes
Empty and vague
It close, when he chose not to leave her
And he rears back and shouts in pain
Flames of despair spread across the sky
Silence once more
A blackened leaf falls, quietly