Desert sand against tough outer armor,
gouging into crevices to irritate, injure.
Tail raised high, ready to strike.
Strike at the heat, the sand, the wind.
Strike at anything that moves just because it can.
Strike to watch something die.
Strike to allay its fears.

Desert sand grating against soft undersides,
gouging into eyes, to blind.
Head held low, hiding.
Hiding from the heat, the sand, the wind.
Hiding from anything that is not food.
Hiding to catch something to eat.
Hiding to satisfy its hunger.

Desert sand the battle field.
In early dawn---it's cooler then.
Snake hunting to live.
Scorpion hunting to kill.

Heat of day builds.
Wind picks up.

Paths cross.
Each hunt,
each hurt,
each need.
Hate with a tail strikes!
Cunning lifts its head and counters.

Hungry snake leaves the poison body for the ants.