the great creature lumbered to the shore
dipped its head into the surf
and drank
took on water like a great ship
filling its lower decks
with ballast
the water surged and sloshed down the pipes
into the huge belly
along with fish and sand and shells
and the long thin stems of algae
for years, decades, centuries
its thirst satisfied at last
shaking from its craggy mouth
a sluice of icy water to either side
the mountain dragon
turned and bounded back into the hills
and settled down long enough to turn into stone
where now it rests happily
while we climb its fat legs
to the crest