This afternoon was

Sunny and a little bit warm.

I was dawdling and doddering looking at green things

Pulling up weeds

Teasing the soil.

Like I said, just passing the time

When I saw something move between the stones

A garden snake, scaled black and yellow

Making s-curves

He had a small flat head and an honest-to-god forked tongue.

I think the snake lives close by, so

I will call it my household snake and

It can be one of my spirit animals

Joining the possum, skunk and chipmunk in that role.

I am allowed to have multiple spirit animals

As long as they are small.