the day I become a snake 
I woke up alone bent and twisted 
coiled tight inside an old hammock
 
I’d crawled slowly at night to warm 
my bones but I was left alone, so
 
I crawled down into the earth 
afraid to bend and crumble 
 
I pushed and bent my bones
through the red crusted mud walls 
around Abuela’s house, 
 
I smelled the stench of flowers 
and wet dirt from her garden
 
My split tongue tasted the hot 
morning air and guided me across
her gardenfull of grass and dirt 
 
the day I become a snake 
children stoned another snake 
with green and yellow spots as me 
 
I hid and shook my head 
when the poor snake screeched 
like children scream as their mothers 
yank their teeth out;