snakes wrapped around my arms
like handcuffs they leave my wrists swollen
and
kissed
with baby bruises.

chills.


they wriggle like worms in the palms of her hands
as
the snakes in her hair protest against her scalp

she slides right past me
prickles, the goosebumps on my skin
her scales pressed against my back.
hands like granite..
she whispers in my ear.
her words
f
a
l
   l
i
g

out hoarse
and
   flat
right on top of my thick
skull

she tries one more time
to get me to look at her.
she wants me to understand the pain in her eyes.
but i close my eyes
and tie my eyelashes shut

so she can't slip in
so im not tempted to look at her in all of her
horribly
  chilling
       glory
       .

but the snakes still try to slither  in through the cracks in my exterior.
they come out of her head
flick there forked tongues in my direction
and slither into me.

there cold blooded eyes staring right into mine

*i can't help but shiver as if it's winter.