SNAKE

The snake slithers in the granary

Hidden and Coiled up like a metal spring

Its eyes are burning and ready to sting;

Its tail’s a work of furious archery

Chipo walks in with her bamboo basket

Singing sweet songs as she heaves maize

Into the basket. Then she lays her gaze

On a corner and sees her coiled casket

The snake strikes like lightning and bites her breast

She falls down and yells, “Yooo...!.. Bitten by s-nake...!”

The villagers wake up; find her dry as steak

And bury her with her sister to rest