skin they understand, but they have no arms,
and so, in jealous anger, will do what it takes
to see you come to bitten harm.
Use every skill, every charm
to remind them of their low degree,
and then, carrying their empty skins, ride on untouchably.
Peacock feathers in your hair
denote the flight of thought and dream,
with beauty a posing passenger there,
mere shade to what you are, and seem.
The leopardess, that lonesome queen
bestows her outer cloak enchanted
to help you leave the snakes laid low, their venom weak, destroyed, recanted.
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A rhyme royal for Fireblossom Friday at Real Toads, featuring the art of W.T. Benda.