For Goodness Snakes

Snakes - For goodness sakes!

Thought they were the pits,

They frightened me out of my wits.

A long black one, sunning on a limb,

I didn't see him there,

Then I looked up at him,

Boy, was I scared!

Another day, he was slithering in the grass,

Thought I might chop off his head,

Decided though to let him pass,

He seemed so purposeful and well bred.

Long and black and strong, but not evil,

He's actually a friendly fellow.

He seems quite nice, and on the level.

He never stays long, but he's not unwelcome.

And so at last, here on the farm,

One of my oldest, irrational fears is lessened.

My heart, like my mind, sees no harm.

But sometimes still, he leaves quite an impression

When he appears suddenly out of a tree

To wave "Hello" to me.