BASAVARAJU APPA RAO
When my innocent
God-like
little ones
come to you,
Pray, don’t hiss at them.
King Cobra!
We will fill your belly
with offerings of milk
every Snake’s Day.
Perhaps
we step on you
in dark.
Don’t bite us
In revenge,
Please.
You, the young impetuous male
in the mould,
please don’t kill us
in revenge.
Midnight
and dead of night
innocent beasts move around.
Please don’t bite
the bread of our life.
Beautiful
Celestial Snake
dancing between the hills!
We beg of you,
keep an eye on us
and protect us.
Night and day
busy in work
is my beloved.
When she walks in the country,
don’t lie in wait
to shatter my dreams.
–Translated from the original in Telugu by B. V. L. Narayanarow