He had left me exposed to cold.
Tender bruises from him.
Purple flesh I hardened fast.
I became my tower.
And when he tried to climb, cajole
I learned to breathe my fire.

Bruises shrunk inside of stone.
Flung fire kept me warm.
Safe and sound in solitary
I was able to build more.

The tower became a beauty
scales that shined like steel.
Enthralled and patient for me
I had to let you in.
In your eyes and steady hands
I saw the could have been.

But dragons only tear and shred
their only warmth will burn.
You barely escaped with your life.
Leaving me to learn

That I can watch from towers tall
Anchored shining in cold stone
Safe and sound and always right
Totally alone.

You left
I''l leave you

But I climb down from the tower

In the palest pink of flayed flesh
I read the ways I failed.
Now I walk forward and away.
Shedding shining scales.