The Snake's Version

It's quiet now. The garden's empty.
Only I am living here, and I doubt
Anyone will come. The place is
Lovely, fragrant, warm, and once
There was a couple here, but they
Have gone. The story is that I
Caused them to be ejected. I
Swear that that isn't true. They
Both seemed nice, though I admit
I never got to know the man. He
Worked a lot and loved the woman, who
Adored him in return, and I, despite
My reputation, never meant to
Do them harm. It's just that she
Drew near to pick the apples
Hanging from this tree, and I
Soon saw that she was pretty,
Also sweet. She'd speak to me.
Quite soon I was in love myself,
Though I knew she was meant
For him, and, once more, I swear
I did nothing to get her to prefer
Me, but she saw something in
The diamond irises of my green
Eyes or sensed the genuine
Affection hissed from my
Divided tongue, and came to
Love me, more or less. Still, in
The end, she left with him.
They weren't thrown out.
They chose to go. I watched
Them, thinking, “I'm a snake.
She could not have remained
With me.” Just past the
Gate, she turned, and I
Believe that I saw tears
In her round-irised eyes.



Poetry by Lawrence Beck The PoetBay support member heart!
Read 80 times
Written on 2016-01-18 at 23:54

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