Beetlebung and Kettlehole--April Poems

Snake

A black discarded ribbon,
the snake on the driveway
stared at me, then to the sky,
his head, a periscope.
He moved not much but put up
with human presence
for a bit of sunlight,
a love so natural and voluntary.
The sweep of the garage broom,
a calling for flight, and he
slithered sideways, flowing
in a dignified dance
under the bushes.
He was so cool, I could have
talked to him.
Then I saw the small salamander
high up on the windowsill
welcoming my existence
like a goddess.


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True story. It happened around midday, today, when I was about to take the car out of the garage for food shopping. Here was this three-foot black snake sunning on the driveway. He was, honestly, very cute, but he wouldn't budge. If I'd taken the car out, I'd run him over. So I started sweeping the opposite part of the driveway. The sound of the broom made him flee. Then I saw the salamander on the windowsill of the laundry room.