Wounded Snakes

They’re remarkably resilient creatures
with regenerative powers quite sublime;
wounded, they’ve an anatomic feature
of cellularly healing to survive.
Thriving under very harsh conditions
beneath the heated rocks of desert sands,
they take defensive posturing positions
with deadly poison tongues at their command.
They’ll lash out wildly, if and when they’re cornered,
with warnings, often, just before they strike.
Yet, as their scaly skin is not well-armored,
decapitation quickly ends the fight.
     Beware, though, when they’re partially disarmed;
     deceptively, they may retain some charm.