Snake in the House
In Waipo's village of the camphor hills
there was a snake in every house.
The snake protected the household
against bad luck and ills.
It could be the spirit
of a great-grand-parent
who found life in the house
more livable than in the graveyard.
Children were taught
not to throw stones
at snakes found in a tomb.
Yet the bricks were excavated
cold from another world
to build more houses.
Therefore more snakes slid out
to share a civilized life.
