Seeking to be free, I invite you into the room All around is my inheritance, amassed over millennia It is the spoils of war, all that which I did not earn, which I did not ask for I say to you, in my voice, which itself was not come by honestly, Make of this place what you will, rearrange it as you wish, make yourself sovereign of this place But you say, No Pleading now, I say, Please I’ll take it all out, I’ll set it outside and light it afire The space is yours to fill of it what you wish But you say, No You say, Sit here with all of this In my thirst to be on the other side of it, this feels like punishment, but somehow I know it is a gift
Two days ago, after being privileged with the opportunity of speaking to group of students about my relationship with animals, and particularly snakes, a student asked, “Why these snakes in particular?” The question was referring to the Amazonian puffing snakes (Spilotes sulphureus), which have long been a fascination and love of mine, and a pair of which I currently keep and nurture in my daily life at home. I answered as best I could at the time, noting their beauty, variability, and intelligence as irresistible traits, but the question has lingered in the days since, prompting my attention. All my life I have been blessed with the presence of animals when I needed it most. It is perhaps t