mountain dragon

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