cobra
while it’s true I could fit
everything I remember
of my entire childhood
into one two-hour film
there are still some images
that remain clear and bright
I remember the scene
where a cartoon cobra
is menacing the children
but they are saved
by the heroism of Rikki-Tikki-Tavi
a cartoon mongoose
I didn’t know till years later
that he was a Kipling character
I only knew that I liked the idea
of someone watching over me
while I slept
4 June 2013
Auburn, AL
/ / /
I’m writing a poem a day in 2013. During June, each day’s poem will be inspired by a photo of writer Arielle Brousse doing yoga. I’ve been a fan of her writing for years. These days, Arielle curates The Sensible Nonsense Project, a collection of writing about people’s favorite childhood books. Thank you to Arielle for allowing me to use the photos, and for all the entertaining and inspiring writing she’s done over the years.
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