Youngbae- Jiyong is descending into a somber place I can't reach. He is lost in a bitter barren winter where the rough winds tousles his hair and the sun rays can't filter through these gray substantial clouds.

My jokes cannot make him smile, not a real honest smile. His smiles are wilted flowers without love, the ends of his lips barely lifting. His eyes mournful.

I can't give him his smile.

Jiyong, the dragon.  A dragon with steel scales, sharp claws, and keen tongue with flames that slip through his fangs. His sweet brown eyes guard his treasures, not gold nor diamonds but, the precious people he holds dearly in his broad open heart.

A cruel princess had tempted him and stole his easily stolen heart that he keeps on his sleeve, inviting like a crunchy apple swinging from ropes of branches.

She didn't slay him but, instead betrayed him with her malicious ways. I don't know which is worse.

I don't see the dragon's teeth bared anymore.

I can't give him his smile. It is extinct.

The only thing that comes close to a majestic dragon is a dragonfly.  They soar through the blue summer, their wings shimmering in the flight like crystal tears.

A rainbow of colors in the vast sky, they are pockets of the restless confident dragon spirit.

But, it's winter and the dragonflies hide out of sight. I know they will come back with the scorching heat, the puffy white clouds, and the cool breezy radiant nights that come in summer.

But right now, I can't... ...

I can't give him his smile.