Interviewer:
“Where nature takes its toll
the ground is cracked and dry,
folks are found far and few;
one need not wonder why.
In this wild wilderness
some creatures won’t survive.
Today I have a special guest
who’s very much alive”.
Interviewer:
“Thank you Miss Tamara
for taking time to talk.
I see your busy tongue
complete with fancy fork.”
Miss Tamara:
“Oh, it’s such a marvel
which serves me very well.
When I flick it as you see
that’s how snakes can smell.
There’s lots of different scents
I need to know about;
a nifty piece of kit
I couldn’t do without.
As for my fancy fork
so worthy of attention,
it helps me find my food
and works in three-dimension!”
Interviewer:
“It gets so very hot
and cold in winter too.
How do you survive out here
and stay as good as new?”

Miss Tamara:
“I hunt before the heat
becomes too much to bear,
then I seek some shade
a quiet, comfy lair.
Lots of cracks and burrows
have holes so cool and deep.
They shield me from the sun
and make a place to sleep

Come winter, I turn dark
and bask in sun by day.
Come summer, I turn light
so heat reflects away”.
Interviewer:
“There’s little here to eat
and if that’s the case,
where’s your favourite food
in such a lonely place?”
Miss Tamara:
“I can trace a scent
when I poke around,
checking holes and burrows
where native rats are found.
I know just where to look,
where a rat should be
and if I’m very clever
there’s one for lunch or tea!”
Interviewer:
“What about the venom?
There’s been a lot of hype
about its lethal strength,
with serpents of your type.”
Miss Tamara:
“I am totally toxic
as Inland Taipans are.
Way above the scale
most potent snake by far!
But I’d like to add
a word in my defence.
I am awfully shy
and have a lot of sense.“

Interviewer:
“We’ve had a lovely chat,
so far from anywhere.
Perhaps a parting thought
that you’d like to share?”
Miss Tamara:
“I’d rather slip away
to hide and dodge a fight
but if I’m teased or stirred

I will react and bite.
I’m not to be upset.
Do not torment or touch.
Just leave me on my way
and thank you very much!”
Interviewer:
“Without another word
she quickly slides away,
blending into wilderness
to face what comes her way.
The deadliest of snakes
but calm and very measured.
My talk with Miss Tamara
is something to be treasured.”

Miss Tamara by Edwina Smith

Image from Pixabay