Vipers in the Grass (Be Afraid) - a poem

Vipers in the Grass

You may be warned of their charm,

of their grace in movement

and blend with the earth

in a charmed trance.

You reveal your vulnerability

your pain in life.

At once the viper strikes

a sharp stinging felt.

The nervous system grinds to a halt.

A numbing sensation fills the brain,

powerless and helpless

you succumb to its instinctive plan.

Down, down you go falling

in the sun-dried grass with a thump,

body crumpling to the ground.

The viper is satisfied

and slides safely away.

Is This Poem Really about a Viper?

Or did the writer have something else in mind?

If the poem is about snakes and the danger of being bitten by stepping near snakes resting places in the long warm grass, then the intruder is duly warned by the snake's strike.

Name two features that distinguishes a viper from a snake?

Answer: ˙sƃƃǝ ʎɐl oslɐ uɐɔ ʎǝɥʇ ɥƃnoɥʇ ' ƃunoʎ ǝʌıl ɐ oʇ ɥʇɹıq ǝʌıƃ ʎǝɥʇ
˙ɯouǝʌ ɥʇıʍ ʎǝɹd sıɥ sʇɔǝɾuı ɹǝdıʌ ǝɥʇ ɥɔıɥʍ ɥƃnoɹɥʇ puɐ ʍolloɥ ǝɹɐ ɥɔıɥʍ 'ʍɐɾ doʇ sʇı uı sƃuɐɟ oʍʇ sɐɥ ɹǝdıʌ (source: answers.com)

Name two countries where you will not find snakes or vipers.

Answer: puɐlǝɹı puɐ ɐɔıʇɔɹɐʇuɐ (source: answers.com)

What is a serpent?

Answer: ɹǝdıʌ ɹo ǝʞɐus ɟo puıʞ ʎuɐ (source: ansers.com)

 Though this video from the BBc shows a viper striking its prey, it doesn't dwell on the swallowing - thank goodness! It's fascinating to learn about the action and speed of the viper.

Do you love snakes?