Snakes In Meeting

Snakes In Meeting
By Chris Commodore©2001

Twisting, wining some bright shiny
Cautiously some dull and slimy
As if sizing which one’s friendly
Which one may start something ugly

So, the roll call promptly started
Chore that fell to wily Cobra
So, she bared her fangs for order
Call to introduce each other.

Head held high like Egypt’s Pharaoh,
Co Bra greeted Anna Conda.
Hello Anna, where’s Green Mamba?
O, she’s out with Boa Constrictor.

And that’s Ser Pent near the lake,
Courting dainty Coral snake,
That’s his terrible mistake.
Should be out with Garter Snake.

On the ledge is Ms. Puff Adder;
Grates her scales, but she’s no rattler.
See that noisy Rattle Snake?
Will not tolerate mistakes.

That foreboding mass of muscle,
Lumbering slowly in the sun;
Far from him you do your hustle.
Señor Ama Zon Py Thon.

What about that stick-like fella,
Coiled and waiting over there?
Does he always use that stance?
Yes, that’s Moody Fer de Lance

Who’s that multi-colored fellow?
Painted black with red on yellow.
To the coral snake she’s cousin.
Folks say that she’s laced with poison.

And that guest in red and black,
Hiding in the Weeping Willow,
O she’s harmless, venom lack;
Just looks like the yellow fellow.

Over there is Sir Pitt Viper.
Hissing, blowing; she’s no Piper.
Winding, sliding side to side;
Those who cross her surely died.

Absent here is Ms. Black Mamba,
Slithered on to see her doctor.
Small aggressive Cotton Mouth,
Practices oh, way down South.

Did you hear the Golden Head
Claimed an island off Brazil?
Careless birds their meals instead
But blunt intruders they will kill.

Tigers Black, rule in Australia
Mambas Green, South Africa
Myriads more have conquered India
Central, South America.

All right now, this meeting’s over
Out of their way, just let them slither
Most still hold a deadly dose
Never mind their quiet pose