It was caught under that bank

by the creek, and I caught it

there, that glistening thing, that

little coil. The lizards at the

reservoir were never like this;

they left with their shadows

(though not always their tails,

little bastards). But not this

wonderful rope, this snake!

She and I held each other, my

quick hands greedy for her

thinness, her fangs breaking my

skin, working her jaw, praying

for even the smallest venom.

Nathan Bartel