you had a lizard on a lead

scales glowing bronze

claws trimmed

told me it was a dragon

I laughed

I know an anole when I see one

you saw rippled grain as wrinkles

my leaves a wig

I showed

the fresh knothole on my hand

you laughed

you know illusions when you see them

your lizard's smoke chased me but

now my roots are deeper and my

number carved on my arm coated in

fireproof varnish with no dragon to burn it