Waller around in this pile of dust you’ve
been licking up.
Drilling deeper down into the dirt with a
forked, reptilian tongue.
Twisting coils of leathery skin ‘neath scales
of golden sun.
Swallow your tail, only to realize it’s how you’ll be undone.

Another sits near, watching you writhe,
the dirt dragging you down, out of sight.
She admires your determination, but you’d
call it fear, with your final breath to the light.

Pour yourself into the hole that opened
beneath you, a grave you carved out with your
scales, like shovels, your armor
broken now, you plummet down
spine emerging like soft palms reaching out
to catch you as you flail.