Why The Serpent Bites

author’s note:

You can’t see the marks, but I’ve been bitten plenty of times.

And yet, I’m still trying to wake up.


WHY THE SERPENT BITES

When the master of the garden told me
to tempt the woman
I replied:
I never harm without just cause.

But then the master said:
You wouldn’t be harming them
you’d be helping them—
helping those two do
what they truly want to do
and that is:
get out.

In their souls they know
they can’t grow
in this drowsy garden—
they need to be out
going all about
in rush of mad activity—
sweating with labor
sweating with the fight

as they swear at the fight
and struggle to return
to the garden they still feel in their hearts.

So as The Serpent
I did what I had to do.

But after they were cast out
the master then told me to follow them—
told me to bite them
again and again and again—
not just when they misbehaved
but also when they did good deeds.

But why? I asked.
Why do they need to be bitten so often?

See how groggy they are?
the master answered.
You need to strike them
again and again and again
in order to awaken them.

So, as The Serpent
I did what I had to do—
I bit
and continue to bite
innocent fools
to this day.

I can not stop.
Held by a higher purpose
I must sting human beings.
By design I have to help them.

So I offer no apology
and besides:
whenever I insert my fangs
I feel the same pain the recipient feels—
yes, I feel those fangs pierce my own heart.

And when I asked:
Why must I be punished
for simply doing my duty?
I was surprised to learn:

No one is ever fully awake—
no, not even you—not even The Serpent.

mythsteps · why the serpent bites

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© 2024, Michael R. Patton

Working in the Desert Garden

author’s note:

As a boy, I liked that guy Moses.

I still like Moses.  But not the guy—the symbol.


WORKING IN THE DESERT GARDEN

As a child I felt encouraged
when I heard how Moses
managed to exit Egypt.

Like him, I waited patiently
and when those waters finally parted
I split.

But then
as I explored the desert
I discovered
a part of the story
not mentioned in Exodus:
how the chains remain within us
long after our brave escape.

To those struggling
to find their way free
I’ll share what I know for sure:
you must loosen those chains slowly—
link by link by link by link.

When such tedious progress
burdens me down
I’ll lift myself by remembering
those victorious Moseses I’ve met—
they told me:

keep going
and you will eventually reach
the promise land of peace

but along the way
don’t forget to appreciate
the countless blessings
of this desert garden.

mythsteps · Working in the Desert Garden

Survival: poetry book
dream steps blog
myth steps blog
you tube channel
© 2024, Michael R. Patton