Acrylic and gold leaf, 5.5” x 4.5”, Framed

Fate 

By Nancy Jo Allen

The snake rests in the path of her truck 

which she wants to back out 

under the overhead door.

It stretches out as thick as her thin wrist 

which supports the garden hose 

she uncoils toward the sunning creature.

The water is icy, and its flow freezes 

the cold-blooded reptile in place.

The woman grabs a shovel—

long-handled—from the display 

on the garage wall and—with caution—

she scoops up this napper, 

transports it to wooded yard 

behind the garage.

She flings the snake 

deep into the woods 

where it catches high in a tree.

It hangs there (still semi-coiled) 

the color of the aspen branch 

from which it will warm 

its cold body, 

and determine 

its own fate.