Snake

Snake! she screamed,
and, whack!
he brought his fancy walking stick down,
across my undefended back.

Whack! Whack!
And still she screamed.

My body screamed;
a trail of blood
from that warm and sunny track
lies testament to pain –
reward for seeking,
needing,
body heat.

And still
the stupid woman screamed…
The shock! she moaned.

And I, hidden now in grass,
note broken vertebrae
and muscles seizing, freezing,
refusing movement;
I feel the ants begin their tentative and
hungry exploration.

While in the branches
of the overhanging gum,
the Laughing Jackass laughs,
and waits.