Hanque O . . . - It Ends with Me

Limb shadows fall across the road in dapples and welts,
fooling me, casting a flicker of serpentine across the rough
and undulating gravel. I swerve. Another snake to dodge.

I am a dodger of snakes, even a screech to a halt,
back up to inspect, pick up, admire, set safely in woods,
bring home for the kids, at least gawk, kind of guy.

I have learned that to run over a snake is bad karma.
To run over a green snake, in particular, is to bring
nine generations of bad luck upon your family.

I know because someone in my lineage must have done it,
and I wish to end it with me. I want my children
and grandchildren to know, I am a dodger of snakes.

Hanque O . . .

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/it-ends-with-me/