I am Eve.
Daughter of longing.
Born to be cursed.
When the serpent came slithering
into my garden
I watched his careless eyes
'I am a friend to man,' he said
and, slippery as sunlight, disappeared.
I waited for him.
Adam watched me - sly-eyed -
beneath his lashes.
On the second day the snake returned
bearing dew drops sparkling like diamonds.
They disappeared beneath my finger's touch.
On the third day he came garlanded
with flowers.
And on the fourth he brought me fruit -
a pretty golden apple.
'Do not touch,' he sighed.
It was cool and delicious.
Adam laughed at me
and when his mouth was opened wide
I pushed the apple hard against his tongue.
He nearly choked.
After he swallowed it he cried.
My children were a disappointment to me.
Adam left long ago.
I manage.
Sometimes I think I see the serpent
- slippery as sunlight -
gliding toward me through the long dewed grass -
But it is only shadow.
23rd October 1977
© B.A.Zanditon 2024