After a graphic by Ruth Thompson

Ebony claws filleted the air; giant entity

rushes through the oily gash as its venomous blood boiled

in the iris of its eyes. Its enormous wings bent

so as not to rustle behind the still being posed

with heaven’s angelic chain hissing in his left hand.

The black dragon inhaled a snarl of acidic smoke

only to have fire taken by the blow of his hand.

In a fury, the beast rose on a gust of choking

haze as it flew deeper into billowing chaos.

The fearsome angel created his own wave of fumes

as he pursued the dragon into the gaseous

film that dampens his feathers. The tingling of fresh runes

bubbled up his neck halting him short of the dark gate

where perched his fallen brother and all he had hated.