Aristocrats

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Two black snakes 
Made it down the hill 
Through the high grass 
Among the wild apple trees 

To the edge of the road 
Before the neighbor’s dog 
Spotted them. 

They rose 
Like angry sovereigns, 

The female 
All neck, 

A hissing throat 
Of black pearls, 
Ruby eyes ablaze 
with contempt and hate. 

The male was 
            Like hell’s fury, 

A pride made impotent 
By Eden’s curse, 
And like she, 

He would fight to the death, 
But has no hands 
To clutch 

And stop the enemy’s insolent mouth. 

So they hiss 
            Like whips 
The name of injustice.