Thursday, November 7, 2013

Snakes on a Road

Darkness.
I drove that night.
Out of the desert, back to civilization.
I didn't see it right away, but there it was.

Dead rattlesnake.
Right there, in front of me.
I didn't swerve out of the way.
I stopped to take a look at it.

No rattle. It felt camouflaged.
But nothing breathing.
Nothing moving.
Like a burned out candle.

The night burned on the road.
There the rattlesnake in the middle.
Yellow lines crossing underneath it.
And then it was my choice.

I got out and watched myself.
Slowly and surely, I went to the snake.
Examine it, see if it's dead.
I was sure I was going to be too.

I touched it gently with my sleeve.
Nothing happened.
Then as quick as a bird, kicked the snake.
And went on my way.

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