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Snakes And Mr. Baines
By Curtis Johnson

The phrase, “A snake in the grass”, has often been expressed toward certain individuals. Such a powerful and direct metaphor of treachery, is it not?

Among the first stories ever heard by me involved a snake that was up to no good.
Perhaps from that point, my opinion of snakes was sealed, and I have avoided them if I could. Growing up in the country, I saw them occasionally, but was not unduly afraid of them. Because of heavy chemical use on the farm, being bitten by snakes was probably slime.

I had lots of friends, lots of freedom, and a good dog name Jack.
We hunted for blackberries along the banks of the railroad tracks.                     We roamed the country sides, and played fearlessly in the grassy weeds.               We had things to do and places to go, and never any time to worry about snakes. 

There’s a wild kingdom out there, and may all of God’s creatures survive and forever be. But the hissing, crawling, rattling, and the twirling are out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless, there’s a place for snakes, as long as that place is away from me.

I once saw a snake curled up in a bush.                                                     Nearly touching him, I was startled.
My boss and I were gardening.                                                                  With little concern, he said to me,                                                            “He’s just a chicken snake”.

Whether chicken or king, rattles or moccasins;
Whether harmless or causing deadly pain,                                                        I prefer to keep my distance all the same

My father had a friend who lived just up the road from us in a big house.
He looked mean and sometimes acted the part, but I liked him and thought he was brave. He was one snake slinging man, and I was his biggest fan.

Back then, if my father’s friend  Mr. Baines saw a snake, he’d grab it by the tail,     sling it around, and pop its head off. But the world has changed; wild life is well protected, and many things  have  been banned. How sad, is it not, that there is not a ban on “snakes in the grass”?  Perhaps the day will come when they can be caught and have, not their heads, but their poisonous venom popped out of them. Meanwhile, we best keep avoiding all snakes; and I do miss Mr. Baines.
Cj08052015
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