Max Reif - The Python

When a new woman enters my life,
the time comes to introduce her
to the python of personal history
that I keep around as a pet.

I'm almost 58 now,
and the darn thing
has grown quite long!

I watch it
curling about her legs
as she reads its occult,
reticulated skin.

After awhile,
it sort of slides between us
and goes into hibernation,

but there’s no way around it—
you have to introduce them.

Max Reif

http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-python/