The Snake Charmer
Fascinated people watch a cobra
swaying before them to the sound
of the snake charmer’s instruments.
He is deemed a hypnotist and a brave magician
to be able to mesmerize so dangerous a creature.
Using his special pipe -the pungi -
he guides the snake in a magical dance.
Money is collected from an audience
who feels they have witnessed enchantment.
The snake charmer has done his job,
but he did not charm any snakes.
Prior to his show,
his dangerous cobra had been torn
from its natural habitat.
Its fangs were ripped mercilessly
from the creature’s mouth -
a mouth which then was sewn almost entirely shut
so that no harm could ever befall
the “brave” magician!
As snakes have no real ability to hear,
the instruments in place present a grand illusion.
The dance is that of a terrorized reptile
swaying to avoid being struck by the pungi -
which it perceives to be a weapon.
Those not privy to these secrets have been duped.
The snake is anything but charmed.
Its awful death will be
slow and certain.
Jan. 8, 2022
For the Snake Charmer Poetry Contest of Kai Michael Neumann
Used March 26 for 'A BRIAN STRAND 1097' Poetry Contest
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