Snake Dance

I sat on the cocking stool
a buffoon in clown's clothing
laughter raised around me
echoing down the halls
the serpent they set after me
looking me eye to eye
Cockatrice said I
cocksure said he?
He coerced me to slither
down on the ground
belly flat in the dirt
I rattled my tail
in warning
perception is very bad
from this point of view
We performed our snake dance
for the crowd of onlookers
Cleopatra couldn't have done better...

05241977