The Serpent of Pseudo-Paradise

So sophic, so subtle, so sensual, so strong, He gleamed in God’s garments so fair. To the virginal mother he sang his sweet song With her family happily there. So trusting, so fearing, so captive, so free, She savored his soothing embrace. From the lips that she kissed came the dreadful decree: “Your children I’ll chase from this place.” So anguished, so broken, so steadfast, so brave, She begged for their souls all the while, Scarred but safe, they escaped from the nest of that knave, To their grief now the grave of her smile. So charming, so callous, so craven, so snide, He finished his prophecy’s curse: “With a saccharine sword I’ll secure you inside, In sadness, in sickness, for worse.”