A rat snake hangs around my house
Over six feet long
He knows the place is his, not mine
Spoils don’t go to the strong


So elegant he slides about
Never says a word
Unlike the one in Eden
That made man the world’s lord

Pays me no attention
Knows I mean no harm
His sense of sensibility
A true snake charmer’s charm

No awkward lunging steps for him
On our bipedal knees
A thousand joints along his spine
let him move as he please

never in a hurry
seeking out the sun
what’s the point of worry
The day will soon be done

I told my friend about him
He asked to come and hold
I said when again I see him
You will first be told

He slithered cross my path today.
Recalling what I said,
I asked the snake what he would say
Then to my friend …I lied