Snakes

Anacondas, pythons and boa constrictors

dwell in the land of the rain forest,

meat eaters, not to be mistaken

with their poisonous brethren:  

black mamba, brown snake , and vipers

inject venom into their prey.

The body of Satan from the Garden of Eden

found in branches and  hidden in shadows

unlike the performers such as King Cobras

that dance for an audience before they strike

or the rattlesnakes, vipers, that hide under rocks

sounding out a warning then they attack.

The asp was Cleopatra’s form of suicide

hidden in a basket of figs so she could join her Antony.

The wilderness is filled with garter snakes 
and rat snakes, adders and more

non poisonous mud snakes, water snakes, 
king snakes and corn snakes.

Like insects, common in the outdoor environments,
but because they take their heat from the sun

lay dormant in winter away from the cold.
Black snakes and blue snakes, ringed snakes

and diamond patterned, fascinating reptiles
of mythology and parables avoidable

if people don’t get careless 

and are aware of what is around them.