Welcome back to “Best of Anything That Strikes Someone’s Fancy” series. This is from 2012. It’s our pleasure to share a piece by Writers Forum member Katie Watters.

Coiled
By Katie Watters

a snake lies coiled in the noonday sun
visible, yet unbothered by time
warming skin before the strike
sleeping with one eye openvisible, yet unbothered by time
I reach to tell the story
sleeping with one eye open
letting what slips, slip

I reach to tell the story
an inner stretch for sure
letting what slips, slip
words tumble across the pagean inner stretch for sure
one not unknown to me
words tumble across the page
with a vow to release them

one not unknown to me
I writhe and rail in time
and I vow to release them
zig-zagging to the tune

I writhe and rail in time
like a drum beats rhythm
zig-zagging to the tune
with spring air exhaling and

like a drum beats rhythm
a snake lies coiled in the noonday sun
with spring air exhaling to
warm her skin before the strike