I love you,

and we both know your mouth is dry,

where was it that you learned that?

to run so furiously away from what aids you,

I could put it in a different container, a new glass if you like,

why won't you drink?

I wish I could still speak your language

I could warm it, or cool it for you

I could take it in my hands and press those hands to your hesitant mouth until the water falls and drains like grains of sand,

You are wild, horse, you are wild and I will never understand your resistance to be free,

I love you,

and we both know your mouth is dry

I'm not good with people and usually I don't give a shit but when you look at me and you're upset it makes me wish I was.

             You told me I was important to you and that you don't want to mess this up and I covered your mouth because I thought I'd cry.

Listen, here, you sorry sucker,

you piece-a-shit,

you motherfucker,

you sumbitch,

you asshole,

you're gonna drink.

We gotta go.

We've been here for ten minutes 

eighteen seconds and

seventeen hours

and you still ain't drank;

you got some willpower.

I get it; I do.

God gets it, too.

You gotta drink.

Listen, here, now.

This is the desert, 

Jehovah-Jira.

You gotta drink.

You got to put that

mouth to the water

and stick your head down

and drink.

This is the only waterin' hole

from here to San Antonio

and I'll about shit my pants

if you don't stick your head

down 

and 

fucking

drink.

  Take my hand and come with me

There is something you should see

  You don't have to give up hope

You don't have to cut the rope

  Come on follow right behind

There's a path that curves and winds

  If we stay right where we should

We won't get lost in the wood

  Don't you dare lose sight of me

I want you close, to hear you breathe

  There's no need for us to part

Hold my hand it's getting dark

  I know where we ought to go

I know what I want to show

  You may not make it on your own

Whether you're small or if you're grown

  Don't fall back it's getting black

We need to stay right on the path

  If we just stick to the trend

Soon we will be at the end

  When we arrive you'll finally see

Where I wanted you to be

  But if you don't like the view

We'll move on to something new.

Uncertain for 

a change,

I who am

always right

at least in 

my own eyes

if not in 

God's sight. 

Oh, to 

be sure 

once more,

whatever

the pain. 

Until you 

are sure

you've 

fucked up 

once again. 

You can

lead

a

horse

to

water

but

can

you

inspire

it

to

think?

--------

Painting: Cinnamon Cooney.

Everything is relative you say and I scoff because I have no defense. You're high and you're explaining that if you believe it enough you'll fly. We're looking out over the National Forest. Too high up to test the theory. And I'm never sure if I should laugh or beg. So I push the top on a rusted out Altoids can that came back from London in a carry on. It'd been tossed aside and forgotten until you unearthed it and complimented my Summer stash.

Kiss me I say to distract you from the flight. But you shake me off and I pop the top to show you a balloon and a simple bag stamped death and I have your attention and your needle has rot so I throw you the bag and walk away.

And I hate you and I love you and ill hold you in the swoon. And I'll throw my hands to heavens and pray they hear my thanks. Because I was so thankful that you were in my arms. So safe and unmolested by the world.

I fell asleep on the arch so far above the ground with you in my arms. And I woke too the dawn and you disoriented and searching for an Altoid and a Gimmick.

I kissed you before your fix and you loved me when you found it.

You can lead a whore to culture,

but you can't make her think.

She could meet your mother

but it wouldn't be free.

Good for a porn,

but a bad documentary.

She could stand for something

but it wouldn't mean anything,

Just drop her over seas,

call her the statue of liberty,

Then give her your tired,

ship her your hungry.

But as a whore

she hasn't the facility,

to tend to those you immigrated

(they become the casualty)

So, you can preach a new world order but you cannot make it succinct?

This new whore of a culture

will then blindly mislead

all the cattle fighting battles

of a war they in truth feed.

Fighting, killing, rioting,

all to keep the peace.

We can openly admit this...

Why can't we make it cease?

One can calculate what YOU can do

One can calculate what YOU can inspire

One cannot predict what a HORSE thinks

One cannot predict what a HORSE wants

One has the power to imagine

You can lead

A horse can leadYou can inspire

But we really can't figure out, what a horse desires!

Take my hand, will you?

Of a free will I offer it

Walk with me, please do

By my side, I bid you sit

Take my hand, will you not?

I will walk with you 

Across that bridge 

Yea, that of lonesome doubt

Now you are weary

To carry you I ought

I bring not much clout

Only a resolve so stout

Floundering in rain, snow and hail

Your strength, your wisdom, they fail

Here, take my hand

Together we will stand

An island you cannot ever be

We are never alone

Though we wade in these murk 

These dark waters unending

You are sinking fast partner

Grab a proferred hand 

And another day 

Witness

Ignorant I am not of your story

Surely, it is horrid, squalid andgory

Your untold tale of woe and treachery

You poor victim of an uncanny sin

Winds, storms, they billow

Beleagured by their vehement roll 

Trust me, I know

Life drags on, and we but keep in tow

Count on me, you need somebody

I ain't much but a friend

I'd lend a hand 

Should you find mine worthy

Push on! 

Here's my shoulder, use my back

I'm right behind you 

And I'm no fiend

We are in this together

In cold nights and stormy weather

Here we'll wait, 

'Til help comes from up high

In the mean

Take my hand 

Out of the nadir

We'll both rise.

Please I beg you to love me

I have gold I have diamonds I have everything you need

I will keep you clothed in velvet and lace insatiable greed

Please I beg you to kiss me

I will feed you with oysters and black caviar

From up in the sky I will pluck you a star

Please I beg you to hold me

I will wrap you in mink and dress you in silk

Scent you with roses and bathe your skin in milk

Please I beg you to stay

I will sit with you drinking the finest of wine

I will give you everything if you will just be mine

© M.Withers/M.Strudwick . All rights reserved.

Both the name The EriduSerpent/EriduSerpent

and any written material is owned solely by the above named.

Permission granted for all written material to be shared but not for profit.

Printing or publishing is prohibited without seeking permission first from said owner.