Leather Dragon
Herb Kauderer
Conjured of scales and hides
from creatures long since dead
he is never completely alive
or completely himself.
The longings and desires
of those whose skin he wears
flicker like an uncovered candle
through his brain.
When he is not doing
his master’s bidding
he sorts through the melange
not quite sure what flavor
of feelings to wear,
the shades of evil that suits his master
or the quiet good that soothes himself.
first appeared Spellbound #2 Summer 1994
