Xu Xian

Xu Xian 

 

One day your mother

pushed you behind her

and took the brunt

of the snake's attack.

 

She shoved you away

as her own chin was

bitten through by four

fangs.

 

With her sharp claws

your mother slashed

that snake's guts.

She fell away in agony

while the snake sped

off shaking its head

fitfully as it went.

 

You foraged in the grove

for the silver seeds

your mother had fed

you after she refused

you her milk.

 

Seeds that made you

human would now

save her.