It’s tail rattles.
Here come the inner battles.
Is this one poisonous?
Running from my voicelessness.
It’s not all of them.
From where does this hatred stem.
Green scales and a cold stare.
A flicker in the stagnant air.
I step into the green.
Why does it cut, unseen?
One wrong move.
It’ll bite just to prove.
Slow and steady.
Slithering, coming at me already.
I try to stand strong.
Sharp fangs to show where I belong
Its skin begins to shed.
Stomach sinking with familiar dread.
It isn’t a snake I’m trying to escape,
But a woman’s history built to a violent tape.
(Happy) women’s history month.