They say Nature is a dragon

Horrid, slumbering beast

And that which is in all of us

If wakened, must never be released

But ancient mind esteemed

De Troyes did disagree

Yielding knights and fantasies

“The teacher is Nature,” said he

Most sacred bond revered

Most hallowed light and lore

That of whom longs deeply to learn

And whose wisdom they adore

Who tempts the sleeping heart

Of the beast we fear and scorn?

Who calls her by her real name,

The phoenix burning, born?

Nature teaches faultlessly

Guided by he or she

Knowledge sweet as Gardenia

Teems then into me

Words like dulcet lantern oil

Only lack a paucity

Alight the sacred spark we know

In student’s curiosity

Then mountains surge like rolling waves

Color pervades the bland

Nations take in living breath and

Form people of far-off land

Within me words like arrows fly

The quiver of my mind

Pierce thought more vibrant, colorful

No longer thus confined

I write fueled by another’s fire,

Enlightenment I now pursue

To those who opened heart and mind

I humbly cede thank you.