The Rag Tree

The Dragons of Grammar can turn up in some unexpected places–in 2011 we encountered them in the middle of a Winter romp. Now they are taking us to an even more surprising venue–a coronation!

Yes, the DoGs have decided to honor one of our own, Ms. Margo Roby, publisher of WordGathering, a simply amazing blog about poetry resources. That’s right, Ms. Roby has been chosen for no less an honor than to be crowned Queen of the Dragons of Grammar for a year!!!

But, ahhemm, the DoGs never were the most organized souls, and some months have slipped by while they compared  notes on various teas, cakes, and sandwiches; they extend their heartfelt apologies to Ms. Roby and hope that the thought of a lovely spring coronation appeals…

And in case readers might imagine that being Queen of the DoGs is a mere sinecure, RT is here to remind them that the Queen has many serious responsibilities, not least of which is helping to keep her subjects on friendly terms with each other and keeping the number of annual grammatical issues to a minimum…no lightweight job this!

But now, onto the coronation!

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Oh delectation of delectations! Our curtain opens on the following grand scene:

1) The Big Dragon is presiding on his Throne of Dragonish Imperiosity, attired in his finest rhinestone jacket.

2) Around the BD are seated the Dragons of Grammar themselves: Morphology, the Chocoholic Dragon (but everyone calls her Morfilene); Syntax, the Aviator Dragon, (better known as Capt. Sopwith); Phonology, the Absent-Minded Dragon (goes by Prof. GrumpyChuckle); Phonetics, the Dragon with a Tape-Recorder (also known as Ranger Eagle-Ear);  Semantics, the Acupuncturist (Dr. Silverneedle); and Pragmatics, the Fuzzy Dragon (the one and only Ms. CoolStuff).

3) And, please note, the audience is graced by many a writing-blog notable, among them aubrey, Simon H. Lilly, N. Filbert, Calmgrove, and Bealtaine Cottage. The DoGs extend their heartfelt thanks for attending!

4) On either side of the DoGs are arranged the afternoon’s splendid comestibles: to the right, a banquet table crammed with scones, croissants, Bref Double cucumber sandwiches, … and, yes, Morfilene’s world-famous Clerihew bon-bons in all their glory; to the left, another table groaning under the weight of teapots; some of the most renowned of these beverages include 13–trochee tea from the legendary Island of Yodeling Bloggers; 6-flame-thrower tea from the land of Friendly Ghazals; and, of course, 17-tornada tea from the sunny Island of Sestinas.

5) All of these goodies come from a certain renowned dragon caterer, Lindarella, who labored unceasingly at the kitchen hearth for a very demanding clientele–until one day she heard Silverneedle and Morfilene talking about the Dragonnet Liberation Movement, which aims to empower all dragons of the female persuasion to acknowledge their manifold talents and use them to create a better quality of life for themselves and Dragondom generally. She joined the movement and has been offering spectacular food ever since.

To provide a suitable musical accompaniment, the world-famous bard, Willozoom Dragonspeare, is gliding gently back and forth overhead, lute in claws, singing his renowned sonnets: “Shall I compare thee to a summer’s jumpsy? Thou art more artistical and funsy…”

6) And now the action begins, with Ms. Roby herself appearing in a showstopping sapphire-blue gown sewn with dragonnet scales donated by younger members of the species expressly for the coronation; Margo herself would have preferred something a little more subdued, but DoG etiquette is not to be slighted!

Ms. Roby walks down the red-velvet carpet and takes her place opposite the Big Dragon himself. The BD rises, bows deeply to the Queen-designate, and orders the Ceremonial Pouring of the First Cup; eager dragon pages rush up, place a spotless Moon-Dragon porcelain cup before Margo and fill it with a fragrant Tanaga Vision brew. Ms. Margot sips from the tea and is instantly transported, in the manner of those who heard the singing of the Birds of Rhiannon, to a poetic vision of the world. Ms. Coolstuff, growing impatient, flings the door open much too soon, and Ms. Roby–now Queen Margo!!!–returns to the present. All present hail her: “Long May the Queen of the Dragons of Grammar reign!”

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What, but can this be possible??!!?? The DoGs are actually behaving themselves! No making faces, no food fights, no under-the-breath comments…an auspicious sign without doubt! The Coronation tea proceeds with aplomb, even a certain dignity, and before we know it, all present have offered their thanks and left for their disparate homes. RT is boggled, then realizes that, as usual, the DoGs know best, and have selected a worthy Queen for themselves.

RT

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Photo: Silver teapot made by Nathaniel Hurd, c. 1755-60. Author: Wmpearl. Cleveland Museum of Art. WikiCmns; Public Domain.

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