I turned round the corner
walking alone, walking light;
the moonlight spread over the open patch
and the coiled snake
twitched a little
straightened quickly
looked at me,
some proportion of surprise
but mostly in lethargy
‘be at peace, snake,
be at peace;
I wish you no harm
I shall go my way in peace
and so do you too’
and I walked on silently
moonlight-blessed;
and the gentle snake glided away
moonlight-blessed
