THE ADDER

Little Adder, much maligned
by human minds unrefined,
your fate's decided by their fear.
For you I often shed a tear.

To see you slaughtered mercilessly:
so brutally and thoughtlessly
by those who in total ignorance dwell,
prompts me to your story tell.

For as the only poisonous snake
upon Albion Isle, your place you take
within the Tradition of this land -
oh yes, my little friend, you're grand!

As prime totem of Morgan, you are
the most important player by far
in the Battle of Camlan's tragedy:
but also in it's remedy.

As Arthur with Mordred in uneasy truce
attempted to the threat of war reduce,
you suddenly darted into view
so a soldier his sword instinctively drew.

The rest is legend - Arthur was slain,
bringing upon us the wasteland and pain.
Then Morgan bore him to Avalon
where your venom revived him from oblivion.

So, fellow humans...
please give me your word that from this day
if you see an Adder you will not slay
this symbol of the Goddess' darker phase,
or you'll surely set Her wrath ablaze.