You hissed a greeting
Winding snake
I heard your rattles
Click and shake
I didn’t listen
Thought I knew
The friendship that I had with you

Though I saw your other prey
Be chased and never get away
Though I saw you 
Coil and strike
And swallow down the ones unliked
Though I saw you shed your skin
Emerge unscathed, and start again

We were as close
As friends can be
I trusted you
You needed me
I should have known
You’d feed on me.