***I'm a dragon***

"I'm a dragon,"  
declares a man at the next table over -  
my head turns,  
my heart quickens,  
my breath sticks in my throat.

"Looks like I'm a monkey,"  
one of his companions adds,  
and then I remember  
the placemats  
depicting all twelve animals  
of the Chinese zodiac,  
each with a list of years.

My breath returns,  
and once more  
I am alone.

(© 2011 Cassander)