I don’t know how long
He slithered, so silent.
I do know he’s gone
Without paying a cent.
Did he sleep when I slept?
Did he wake when I woke?
Did he keep what I kept?
Did he pay what he owed?
I bet he could’ve bit me
It’s a wonder he didn’t.
He tried to live rent-free
He chose to stay hidden.
What would he gain from violence?
Certainly not a room.
What he gained in silence
Was the clever thing to choose.
But when he manifested
Slithering into sight
I saw he hadn’t invested
And pulled my purse-strings tight.
I cornered him
And raised my shovel
He begged for mercy! He even groveled!
He should have paid forward
I’m a reasonable man
I’d have shared room and board
For a Franklin in my hand
But I have no patience
For parasites
I’ll keep no thieving tenants
That try to steal my dimes.
I cut off his head
And threw him away
But although he’s dead
His presence has stayed.
I’ll never forget
That under my bed
A tenant once slept
Who didn’t pay rent.
Believe it or not, this one is actually based on a true story... Yep, I found a snake in my room.
Anyway, the poem is about priorities and allowing something harmful in our life because there's some benefit in it for us, something it can give us. In the poem, the speaker is shocked that there was a snake in his room, not so much because he was in danger but because he didn't capitalize on it. He sees that he could've made a few bucks off the serpent, although it certainly would've at some point bit him. It's a bit of a silly analogy, but I think it stands. One thing I think it highlights is how much we can undermine the dangers we allow to slip into our lives. It's surprisingly easy to justify ourselves when it's convenient.
I hope you have a good weekend (don't find any snakes in your room)!
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