The kind of nasty, lowdown
dirty-mouthed pencil-neck
snake you don't want
swimming from the far side

of the creek in a blind rage,
because you had the gall
to think this was a place
where you could relax. Not

even if you have more venom
than the cottonmouth,
because he'll bite you faster
than you can bring your stick

to bear. Best bet is to run
with your pants around
your ankles, screaming
like you wanted to all along.