Viper

Bloodshot eyes, they gaze at me.
The viper has found his prey.
The unkown figure is all I see,
I know what he's done today.
He wails an awful hiss
then stammers out of view.
All I want is a goodnight kiss
and ask, papa, what has come of you.
All the viper tastes is his venom,
What supplies his unfairness.
When mama says, just stay clear of him-
he's obviously not with us.
I cry myself to sleep that night
and pray for God to come,
to help my viper win his fight,
to help him find his home.
-Maja Olson
February 3, 2009