A Little Viper


A snake rolled in a glass cage days spent
remembering bathing on a hot rivers bend
slid back his white fangs into their jaws hilt.
Evergreen skinned, he warmed my ice age.

I was the curious kid eating fresh worm fillet,
childhood approving the earth's acquired taste.
Then suddenly gripped by fear the snake buried
himself, loose fitted skin dipped in sharp gravel.

Later my penknife bared I cut free a bloody
serpents relic, to me a stony coiled root pulled
from Medusa's scalp, my single sharp tooth folded
back inside its Swiss case, my manhood wetted.



John G.Hall©2004