"Twice Startled; Never Bitten" by Lauren McBride, Frequent Contributor

Twice Startled; Never Bitten

Lauren McBride

The day I stepped 

on a centipede

and felt its multitude                                           

of little legs wriggling

under the arch

of my bare foot,

I never imagined 

I could utter a sound

that high-pitched -

nor did I imagine                                      

that I could run

all the way up the hill

in my heavy yard boots

to find my husband                                                   

until the day

I nearly weed-eated

a copperhead.

Poet's Notes: Both stories are true. Both happened in southeast Texas. Encounters with the poisonous are rare, but always memorable.