The Northern Viper

The Northern Viper

On Spring mornings, as fair weather joggers pace by,
he is there, basking in the warmth
of a south-facing windrow.

His old self lies discarded in bracken, blows to dust
in the wind. Transformed, he glistens sleek black
and silver, yet his adder sense bids him linger.
Like a mobile phone on charge, soaks up the glow,
his visceral length taut with latent energy.

Vulnerable to the shadow of a passing buzzard he remains
coiled. Springs only to the challenge of a rival, wraps him
in a neck brace and grapples like an Indian wrestler
to the mat; wormlike they retreat.

Elliptical eyes hold you entranced. He will follow
your zigzag scent through sand and slash, ring you
with his muscular form, his tongue flickering
while you quiver in response. You lie entwined,
for hours.

Releases, and famished dives into the larder
of a nearby stream, the croak still audible within
his gaping gullet.

Suzi

The Northern Viper is another name for the British Adder which is our only venomous snake. I was reading about them in a Simon Barnes article in The Times and it inspired me to read up on them and write a poem. They are to be found in early Spring after awaking from hibernation, basking in sunny spots and waiting for mates. Hengistbury Head which I have written about recently is one place they are to be found along with the also protected Natterjack Toad.
A windrow is a line of woody debris either natural and blown by the wind or left after logging. Some members of my writing group weren't sure about this word as it was confusing with 'window' but I quite liked it so have left it for now.