Colour me Pink.

Line count : 48
Meter: Tetrameter
Rhyme pattern AABBAB into eight stanzas with different A & B rhymes in each stanza.

Dragon laid hopeful clutch of ten,
Guarded with care of brooding hen.
Fasting, she watched for ninety days,
Thin crack appeared to eager gaze,
Hesitant nose peered out then.
Head rose to sun in happy daze.

Hatchlings appeared, first one, then two,
Clothed in grey scales, they’re dragons true.
Except for one, the first who came,
A soft pink hide provoked deep shame.
Acceptable, were shades of gray or blue,
For this horror whom should they blame?

Always she lagged behind them all,
Rabbit sized, where they towered tall.
Dragon young should belch puffs of smoke,
Quaking terror they should evoke.
Jeers greeted one so pink and small,
Siblings, with claws, would rend or poke.

Flaunting smooth glowing coat of pink,
Gamboling happily she’d think,
'To choose life’s path, one’s will is free,
I’ll not terrorize from high scree'.
Sure snubs caused her spirits to sink,
Anguish noted, there’d be grins of glee.

By year’s end all produced red fire,
Stir of breath primed a blazing pyre.
She puffed hard too, trying to please,
Instead of flames, produced faint sneeze.
“Blot on our name!” they cried in ire,
"Go! Before we catch your disease."

Forlorn, she left for far-off hills,
Traversed hard roads, endured all ills.
Found aged one, helpful and wise,
He advised diet and exercise,
Sulfur and magnesium pills,
Slowly she gained in strength and size.

Dark arts explained, simple and plain,
Practiced moves, she began to train.
Learned new skills, now proficient
Turning tables became her bent.
Bowed ‘Thank-you’ for knowledge and gain,
Back to old haunts she flapped high and went.

Screeching fiercely she hovered in alt,
Claws outspread, slowed to complete halt.
Scorched the cliffs with one sizzling pass,
Proved her prowess beyond compass.
Pinkness is not drawback or fault,
The moral here’s as clear as glass.

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