To Slay a Dragon
By: Rus Houser

There was a time of long before
where all, young and old believed in lore!
This was a time full of mystical beasts,
of endless nights, warriors, and wonderful feasts!
And born of this time was a race of horror
that startled the people like never before!
A dragon was born by the name of Goulay,
so horrid was he, no man was able to slay!
His flesh was scaly, shiny, and green,
he would devour everything that could be seen!
The people grew afraid that they would all be killed
and this fear kept the dragon constantly thrilled!
"They can't touch me, they're afraid!"
Goulay would laugh as he said.
"I'm invincible, those who fought me are all dead!"
His bragging filled his boastful head.

And then one day as dark as night,
a new man came before him to fight!
With armor of gold all shiny and bright
it's luminescence lit the endless night.
His mighty sword slashed through the air,
and filled all Goulay's brethren with a terrible fear!
Goulay too was filled with fear,
and it only grew as the warrior drew near.
Then from the mans hands the mighty sword fell
before the cave where the dragon did dwell.
"My name is Trey!"
The man did say
"I come from far away
and my plan is to slay
the great and mighty Goulay!
With a sword it'd be to easy,
and this should be hard!
Thus I will fight you
with the power of card!"

So out came a deck to begin the fight,
a furious game of poker would go down this night!
The news took wings and spread near and far
to every cave, house, stable, and bar!
So all came, be they beast or man,
to watch the battle that was on hand.
Thus the battle began, the cards were dealt,
gold coins were stacked up on a cloth of felt.
The cards were flying, money piled high
so that it towered into the sky!
Goulay lost all, not one did he win,
then it was time for the last hand to begin.
"Listen, give me a break" Goulay said to the man,
"How about winner takes all in this final hand?"
So the cards were dealt, all waited to see
would Trey or Goulay take the victory?

Then the dragon smiled and screamed "This is great!"
He showed his cards, he had a small straight!
The man smiled and laughed quietly,
no one knew what he had, they all tried to see.
"It's over, you lost, you grumpy ol' barge!
While your straight is small, mine is a large!"
Goulay yelled, fought, and pulled out his hair!
"He cheated!" he screamed "It's not fair!"
The man stood up and let out a sigh
then raised his arm to point to the sky.
"Now leave this planet and go to that one,
the dark one high above, that all call the sun!"
So there he went, never to return,
his furry grew hot and the land started to burn.
So thus the sun set on fire and earth's days grew bright,
no more did earth live in never-ending night!
So all man was happy and live in peaceful ways,
and this is how they were, to the end of their days.