World Snake Day, July 16

Snakes are smooth, not scaly, are

Planet Protectors, slithering silently,

consuming pests, their tongues detect odors.

Gently gliding in slow motion,

moving through forests and fields.

Rodents are doomed by a serpent strike,

a meal for them, removing

a threat to your garden.

Walk gently through the plants and

give the gliders time to hide.

They don't want to startle you,

or even be near you -

you don't want that either.

Tread lightly in this world.

Respect the reptiles and let them live.

Slowly pass them as they sun themselves.

**

I touched one once: a woman held

her enormous yellow snake.

It was soft and smooth,

not cold and slimy. It was quiet,

sentient, allowing the touch with no aggression,

no repulsion from it, or me, by the touching.

Push away your fear. Practice fascination

with nature while you quietly observe.

A/N: I am not a fan of reptile shows or people having enormous creatures that belong in the wild - they release them in the Everglades, and then those non-native species eat native species. Only 15% of snakes are venomous. All wild creatures are doing what humans are doing - just living their lives. Live and let live.

Copyright © 7/16/2026 by Andrea O. Corwin.  Thanks for stopping by! 😃 If you like ♡ my scribbles, hit the subscribe button. Please consider leaving a comment. ✍️❤️

This was written for Mikeydred's July Unofficial Challenge!