Such A Virtuous House Poem by Robert Rorabeck

If a serpent lives in my house with me
Let him live,
But take from him no fruit or gift that he might offer
To you,
But if Alma would come into my house
Then let her live
And accept anything that she might wish to bestow upon
You
Even if it is only for three nights; it cannot hurt and
Who knows what it might allow you to defeat further along
The slumbering paths
Of permanent stone where so many other heroes like you
Like petrified and sterile just because they didn’t have the proper
Talismans
Cut cleanly like fruit in an orchard from Alma’s gaze, while her
Children lay weaned of suckling on the couch and watching
Television
Through a tremendous rainstorm which ushered you in
Invitingly;
And I have promised her not to drink just so long as she gives her
Gifts to no one but me
And my guests; and if you are here tonight, then heed my words
And accept what wishes she might have for you,
Because you will have to set out again tomorrow, and it is such
A dangerous world outside the soft green loci
And the peaceful resuscitations where Alma keeps such a virtuous house.