CARRICA’S  LAMENT
by Taizu

Once there was a ranger bold,
Whose story was one, which begged to be told;

One day, alas, she met a serpent mean,
And became the most misbegotten hero every seen;

Seeking warmth in the night the viper did creep,
Next to the unwary ranger who was fast asleep;

Only upon waking did the ranger not something amiss,
As her dream lover left forth a mighty hiss;

Strike once, strike twice, strike thrice did he,
But never a wound took she;

Until with her dagger she made to fight,
And struck her shoulder worse than any bite;

Then laughed the pixie Zephyr;
And the ranger screamed, “I’m going to get ya;”

Blinding fast did the ranger leap,
And upon the pixie with the snake did she beat;

But alas the hapless ranger was unaware,
Of the dead snake’s fury and its snare;

Fangs dripping venom in its last gasp,
Did tear across the pixie’s ass;

Then Zephyr the bonnie wind did fall,
And that alas I am afraid is all;

And what should you make of my tale at the last?
Just this, never strike a friend with an asp!