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.

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