He was not born with ophiciophobia, <br />the fear of snakes, but <br />the swamps of Louisiana <br />hiss in the sun with crawly things. <br /> <br />You have to learn to tell <br />a moccasin from a water snake, <br />a coachwhip from a cottonmouth <br />and to keep your eyes on the ground. <br /> <br />“Watch for snakes, son, ” <br />his mama said when she heard <br />the screen door slam. <br />“Yes, ma’am, .” he called back. <br /> <br />Now that he lives in New York City, <br />the only reptiles live in Bronx zoo. <br />Yet other venomous creatures <br />wait poised to strike, <br />and he never fails to warn his son: <br />“Watch out for snakes. <br />You have to know the difference…”<br /><br />Sonny Rainshine<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/ophiciophobia/
