I like snakes,
Especially when they’re snake-like
And hidden from sight in the wild.
I don’t mind that they’re not friendly like dogs—
I’d hate for one to greet me.
I don’t mind that they’re not soft like kittens—
I like the way their scales gleam.
Snakes are thin shimmers on summer’s days
And fat winter ghosts who’ve slithered away.
Snakes are crayons on the earth
And secrets in the water.
Snakes are rivers,
Ripple drawers.
Snakes are like rainbows from afar,
Except rainbows aren’t poisonous—
Some snakes are—
And most rainbows live in the sky.
I like snakes more than rainbows
Because they colour the land, like I do.