This Viper Has Struck Poem by Francis Kokutse

It came to me in a human form,
dancing and cajoling with a
voice that made me think l was
sitting with an angel from the
higher realms that we all hoped for.

Then it went on with tales
that would make Lucifer
become a patron saint of kindness;
hidden behind those tales
were designs that blinded me
and turned me to become a fool.

I wish it had been a python
that burst upon my path so that
l would have been able to see
when it decides to struck.

This viper kept me listening to
what l thought were kind words
and songs that were to heal my
aching heart that was hurting.

Then it struck at a moment that
l had not expected and gnawed
at my heels like a mouse would do
so that the pain that followed was subtle
l only realised it when l was almost at the point
of death and had lost all control.