been surrounded by
these snakes so long
he wish he could shed
my own skin like them
leave behind a
hollow reproduction
escape into the woods
fresh pink skin
glistening in the wan
moonlight as it shines
through skeletal branches
to disappear far from
their slitted pupils
watching every move
waiting to strike out
cold blooded bastards
coiled in the deep grass
forked tongues tasting
greedily at the air
expecting to be fed
each time someone else
gets a chance to eat

he thought he would
become a writer
instead he found himself
in need of antivenom
bleeding from tiny wounds
as his limbs went numb
an amateur herpetologist
mistaking their convenience
for actual friendships