SAW-SCALED

SAW-SCALED

saw you sort of
in a trance state
somewhere
    between in
a dream
and being awake

you moved like a tiny
bolt of jagged lightning
in slow motion
      no scales grating together
to put
the chills into me
but head still
loaded with
blood-battering venom

enough in one bite to
kill a couple of humans
                   terrible style

bad
   as that was
           worse, it were
as if
   you stop, smiled, that
sublime viper smile,

introduced yourself
               to that part
of you
   in me

       snake, killer, spirit
animal

that was
      already there

those scales shrieking danger
to all who
           might listen

should really listen
if they knew what’s good for them
.