There was a snake

There was a snake

Sunning itself in the garden

Giving me the evil eye

Tempting as it was

To enquire

About the nature

Of its visit

I remained

Within the safety

Of the hermitage

The walls are strong

With little chance

Of his stealing

Into the bosom

Of my home

The hearth

Although welcome

Is no place

To shelter a serpent

Clever enough

To break through

My defences

With nothing more

Than a forked tongue

Hypnotic gaze

And a magnetic

Personality

The poodle next door

Where he did stay

Stretched out

Straight as a curtain rod

Feigning disinterest

Until two men

Wearing heavy gloves

And safety goggles

Came to take him

Away.

Re-homing they said

Out of the garden

Where either it

Or the dog

Would soon be dead

To the safety

Of a wildlife zone

Where he could lie

All day

Mesmerizing rodents

And marsupials

Passing the time

In his own

Sweet way.