by Madelaine Nerson Mac Namara, © 2013
RUMOUR
Rumour shivers
up the long snake
of mid morning
sweat frazzled scouts.
Stragglers have spied
between warm stones
a thick dry stick
spring, slither.
Vipers favour
the sandy soil
of summer paths
between tall ferns.
Such hissed warnings
coil in the mind
thrive, redundant
in snakeless lands.
Clutched, handed on
like relay wands
terror, hatred, hope
travel dry ground.
Some canes quicken
into serpents
others strike rock
light fires, divine water.
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