kneeling at the well
drawing up the pail
ladle cool refreshing water
into my tin cup
startled by a rattler
hissing in the grass
frozen in time
staring me down
my blood running cold
waterfall splashes merrily
birds warble and chirp
as i look down by my feet
and barely dare to breathe
fangs bared - skin pierced, 
hotness rushes me
i panic and remember
i am alone, untended
calling out in a whisper
to frolicking bunnies
fluffy white clouds
sailing overhead
lilacs in bloom
fragrance steep
sit in the dells
and sorrow weep
enflamed and dizzy
breathing rapid, shallow
become deadfall
in the meadow
a feast upon
which the carion
taste greedily
pecked out eyes
no longer to see
scorned by the rattler
who winds away
looking for fresh prey

Sherry Gilles ©1998 December 22