Your Lies

With so many years peppered with clues
I wonder now why I'm so surprised
at finding out about your secret life

and I stand transfixed
as your body elongates
grows thinner
and falls to the ground

green and gold begin to shimmer
along your new form
yet you are still majestic
and I always loved you
for the colours that you were

in time
we both know
you'll shed your skin -
be laid bare for a while
but still you hiss your lies
at my mouth and ears and eyes

and you coil yourself around me tight
so tight that I can hardly breathe

you don't want me to leave

but for now
I can't do anything but remain aloof
and you can't hide
as you slither
around, above and beneath
the truth.

(c) JH