Snake

You automatically assume
that I am out to get you.,
that I see you,
that I know you,
that I am intent on biting you,
sinking my poison-delivering fangs
into your flesh,
watching you writhe in pain
and maybe even die.

I see you crossing my path
even before you see me,
and I slither along,
trying to avoid you,
but it's sometimes too late,
and we freeze as our eyes meet.

And I,
at least I hiss, call out a warning,
or maybe lift my tail and rattle
to try to tell you to leave.

And you,
you choose to ignore my warnings,
for in your world I'm evil,
you just want my children to grieve.

Man, I don't know you from Adam,
but Adam, he surely knew me,
so the next time you see me coming,
you'd better remember Eve.




© Candice W. Coghill, November, 2011