Snake Worship Poem by Matrika Pokharel

Placing a whip
on the heads of reason
he said, 'Long live, democracy! '
With shells strewn everywhere
he proposed for 'peace zone'
and said
'Long live, peace! '
Biting the parched bellies and naked bodies
like a cobra
he said, 'Long live patience! '
and declared that he was Naag - the snake god
and for centuries
in this meek county
got the people to worship him.
In the name of democracy
peace and patience
he bit those that irked his eyes
as long as blood lasted in their bodies
and as they fell dead, devoid of blood
he threw their carcasses;
some on the bank of Seti
and others inside Bhiman jungle
or towards Sukhana
and many in places still uncovered.
On his part, however
he continued to make people
worship his glory as Naag-
the snake god.

Defiling the pace of change
we too continued revering him
but this time
he stripped himself, stark naked
beyond the imagined limits
till everyone could see things
and in haste
amid fears
he put on the snake-shaped cap
in his bid to hoodwink us
as he always did
and displayed a fake smile
facing us.
Once again
he talked of democracy.
In fact, he was enacting a play
wherein we inferred
he was a true serpent;
we whispered among ourselves.

This time too, however
the same danger persisted.
Helpless, we meekly listened.
How long are we going to heed?
The same danger
is still ringing, however!

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