Interview With a Coiled Snake

While visiting India, I saw this poem contest, I was glad, I found myself in the situation best, Hurried, I went to a remote village, Folks told me to go under the old Oak tree to see the sage. Amidst the wilderness, where shadows dance, I found the creature, in a mystic trance. Its scales adorned with shades of jade, A silent wisdom, its presence conveyed. "O serpent of secrets, of ancient lore, Share with me your wisdom, I am going to take a video of our talk, So that people don't think it is a fake", The snake stirred, its slithering form, And from its lips, a voice did swarm, "I am glad you are here filming our views, I would love to see it on YouTube and WhatsApp video reviews". I asked him "sir what do you think of us human?, Do we coexist with your den", The snake recoiled, a shrill voice came from forked tongue gland, "We were here before you came, this land is my land, this land is your land". My curiosity arose, "sir, how do you dance with snake charmer's flute sound?, I hope I am right you cannot hear any musical sound", Snake coiled up and said modestly, “do you really need music to dance, Like the shapely flute leading me, you need a shapely beauty to lead you to dance", With patient grace, the serpent began, To weave a tapestry, both old and grand. It spoke of cycles, of life and death, Of shedding skin, to embrace new breath. "Behold, the lessons etched in my scales, To shed the past, where darkness prevails. Embrace the cycles, the ebb and flow, For growth lies hidden, in the depths below." "O seeker of knowledge, I bid you heed, The power lies within, sow your own seed. Seek not validation, from the external gaze, Your worth, your purpose, within you lays." With gratitude and awe, I bowed my head, For the wisdom shared, my soul had fed. And as I departed, my heart ablaze, I carried the snake's gift, through life's maze.