Paul went back to the root of hobo
became a hoe-boy and worked the garden.
He found it strange Lori could kill a snake with a hoe
but screamed at mice and other small rodents.
Paul disliked the taxidermy rooms in the museum.
Ancient spear points were more his thing.
He watched Lori at the zoo.
She studied the constrictor snakes in fascination.
Paul finished hoeing the garden
and picked up sticks dropped by the last storm.
He found Lori in the kitchen.
She washed clean last year’s snake spines and ribs
that were deposited under the compost
they spread over this year’s butterfly garden.
copyright © 2023 Kenneth P. Gurney
Umflop 