Snake in my room

I am sitting in a corner of my room, hands around my folded legs. I feel tired and weary. The walls are closing up, and the room continues to shrink. I am not worried about the space to walk or move or lie. I haven’t slept or walked in a long time. I continue to sit like this, conscious of my existence clubbed with that thing. There is a snake in the room entwined on the curtain rod. It keeps staring at me from the top, and makes that ‘hiss-ing’ noise. Once it used to be my room, and I have slept here with eyes closed. But now I am disturbed with its presence. This snake has been here for long too. It was a gift from a traveler. I found it scary then also, but it was rubber snake then and kept lying in a corner. But the scales on it are really old; it doesn’t seem to be part of my décor any more. It was never welcomed here. It hasn’t bitten me so far, but nonetheless it threatens me all the time. It gives me those scary glances. I can’t sleep nor move; I am conscious of its presence all the time in my room. Rarely it makes a move and when it does I forcefully press myself against the wall. It gives me chills. The walls continue to come closer, and the room continues to shrink. I know I am a prey. I can see that. I know it by the look of it. That carnivorous legless reptile continues to grow. It has venom and a forked tongue.  I am not alone in the room, there is a bed, a chair, a painting on the wall, curtains, and a pillow without cover, but I feel vulnerable the most. I know the venom will only work on me, though it might disturb everyone’s sensibilities. It doesn’t matter that he hasn’t attacked me. It is just a matter of time, but I continue to feel threatened, violated and petrified. It doesn’t belong here, it was never welcomed here. And this room once belonged to me.

Quiet and motionless I sit

Aware of its searching eyes

Prey to abhorrence in its venom 

And your god also hates shrimp