Temptations

Snake coiled in the darkness
A "Hissssss" from the hidden lair
Man-child beckons
"Come over here."
Rouch hands reach out to touch
Ten thousand fingers
hard to sssssstop, keep track, aware.
I laughed. I did. I couldn't help.
But I heard a hiss like swishing kelp.
Morning's light, beside me lay
Just a boy by light of day
Shirt pulled off, hair awry
But I swear by all the gods:
Last night his speech did fainly hiss
And not man-child but Satan
Did I refuse to kiss.
05/1991