James Penha

Red-Headed Krait
Sako, Western Sumatra

its fiery tail propelling the snake like a rocket’s glare streaming
already half-way across the road when we stop to admire its rare
beauty from a distance: crimson wag and inflamed head warning us
to stay still or be stilled forever from neurotoxins ready from fangs
—————- that will leap ahead of the long inky blue-black body
defending its right of way at a bright red light incomparably wrought

We wait.