To escape the scorching heat,

We hid ourselves under the shades.

But when the coolness becomes

Unfriendly, we seek the warmth of the sun.

The light is not an enemy,

Neither is it a friend.

We are nocturnal creatures,

Hence we thrive in darkness.

We hiss, slither, strike and

Constrict.

Our preys never see us

Coming, until they meet

The fatal blow.

Our territory is vast and

Our reputation; frightening.

But we mean no harm and

Only act according to our nature.

For centuries we have been

Among the pantheon of gods.

Acting as the guardians of the

Netherworld and omen in dreams.

Worshipped and reviled,

We signify the paradoxical.

But like all existence,

We have our purpose,

To maintain the balance of life.

We may be hated, we may be loved,

But we are no less than the

Humans.

Though we cannot walk

Upright for we are limbless.

We still share equal rights on

Mother earth.

Cover image by note thanun on Unsplash