snake in the garden

snake in the garden - a graphic manipulation by T Newfields
a snake slides smoothly
over a pair of twisted zucchinis
between rows of dark, ripening tomatoes
straight towards a bulging eggplant

ignoring the fading dahlias and
discarded soda can by its side
it pauses
flicking its forked tongue
in and out
keenly sensing the spring air

knowing instinctively
where opportunities lie
it inches forward cautiously
slowly approaching
an unsuspecting prey

like a skilled ninja
it becomes motionless
until in an instant
that is shorter than an eye blink,
a fat grasshopper
munching atop
an eggplant leaf
finds to its surprise
that existence is very brief . . .