Benediction Poem by Abby Koning

God bless the hungry serpent
Fangs in my neck
That jungle wildness creeping
In my veins

God bless the hungry serpent
That brings darkness on its breath
A hissing inhalation
Rushing over my lips

God bless the hungry serpent
My body broken for you
Get drunk on my blood
Eat your fill

God, where are you now?
Under which leaf?
The serpent is tangible
Leave him be

God bless the hungry serpent
Slithering through my mind
His fangs may tear
But your silence destroys

And God, bless the hungry serpent
Let me feel him writhe
For though his tongue brings poison,
Your blood on my face
Purifies too slowly