Poem: The Night of the Nian

 

The Night of the Nian

From mountains high and oceans deep,
The Nian stirred from its year-long sleep.
With eyes like fire and teeth that gleam,
It haunted villages like a waking dream.

Its claws could tear, its horns could gore,
A lion-dragon beast of lore.
At midnight's strike, it prowled for prey,
"Kids beware!" the elders say.

But Nian, you see, was scared as well,
Of noise and lights and fire's yell.
A burst of red? It’d flee in fear,
No monster likes a lantern near.

So bang your drums and light the sky,
Laugh loud enough to terrify!
The Nian runs with a hasty roar,
And you’ll be safe for one year more.

- Kasper F. Christiansen

I hope that you enjoyed this poem. It is from the book 'Monster Poetry'.