The Snake Charmer

I met him often, when he was young, like a pride palm tree, He charmed and hypnotized his cobra, and made him wave, free; His puffed flute fit into his mouth, making mallow music, The crowd hailed his unique entertainment and mild slapstick...! Herbs and home-made medicines he had, as though magic-mixed, Common cold and cough he healed; broken bones he neatly fixed; Faith or truth - none knew well- yet, all who knew him firmly said: He'd mystic might of giving life to anyone who's dead...! He's superhuman, claimed some rustics; no snake could harm him, Some knew he'd extracted the fangs, lest he became death-victim; Some said he cleared farms from snakes, thus protected rich and poor, Others said he sent snakes there first; charmed them; and gained grandeur...! ==== === I see him today, as though lost, at the brisk footpath road, His soiled torn tarpaulin-sheet spread; he looks sleepy and bored; His toy-like real-snake, as though lost all juvenile bliss, Has forgotten tricks of the trade, and his furious hiss...! His once admiring audience, never seem look at him, The costly currencies they threw have turned coins that got trim; Rules and rulers threaten him, as threat to Ecosystem, Could he desert his friendless friend, yet, to wild vacuum...? He does never fail to feed his friend with fish, frog and eggs, He serves his tamed colleague, and never now inflict hard hoax; Cut off from his den his snake-friend finds in him much solace, He, as member of his house, treats him with great tenderness...! No-matter what! He works hard! Feeds his fine friend faithfully, Ups and downs he takes easy; lives in highest harmony; He, to me, like his snake with no fang, is nature's creature, They adapt, in all moods and moodiness, with each other...! 01 January 2021 The Snake Charmer Poetry Contest Sponsored by: Kai Michael Neumann