Unexpected Dragon

Feb. 6 prompt for the Construct Cup Chinese New Year Edition

Hidden within the Underbrush
Near the temple walls
Beside the Emperor's statue
A tiny X marks the spot.
Peer beneath the Gutta-Percha's leaves
Enjoy the bit of shade
Lay your hands upon the Corner stone
Then wait and be amazed
Everything will happen
Draw you in and let you see

Notice Deep glowing eyes
Reptile skin that seems to shimmer
Bits of Azure also flit across your vision's view
Gone is all illusion
Only truth is truly seen
Now you know....
the UNEXPECTED DRAGON exists.

Lines = 17.


Feb. 6 ▶︎

Any form of poetry called "Unexpected Dragon"

Gutta-Percha Tree
Gutt-percha (Eucommia ulmoides) is a small tree native to China. The tree belongs to the monotypic family. Eucimmiaceae. The native plant is almost threatened in the wild, but the people of China widely cultivate it for its bark which has medicinal properties. Gutt-percha grows to a height of about 15m. It has deciduous leaves arranged alternatively with serrated margins and acuminate tips. Its flowers (March-May) are inconspicuous, small and green, and its fruits (June-November) are a winged samara, 2-3 cm by 1-2 cm with one seed. The leaf produces a latex compound when torn, which then dries to rubber to hold the leaf together. This native plant is important in the natural rubber producing industries in China.