The Serpent and the rope

Once I dreamt of a land of serpents,

Coughing venom and spitting fire,

Stupefied and scared, I sought the Lord Satan,

“Say my child, why so serious?” He asked,

Encouraged by his soothing tone I said “Lord, save me from the serpents!”

“Serpents…what serpents?” He quizzed puzzled,

“The one I see every night when I’m not with thee” I replied,

“Oh, they are just black ropes! Sweet dreams now…” He cut me off,

And, what magic, ropes indeed they were!

Days gave birth to months and years,

I was considered the bravest man on earth,

One who can never be afraid, even of poisonous reptiles,

I smiled to myself thinking those are blasted fools;

The speculation never stopped, as to why I could never be frightened

I looked at my little daughter’s face and laughed at her innocence,

Thinking even she would learn the ropes of the ropes before these ghouls;

The moment I shall never be able to understand came,

My daughter was struck by a vermin’s flame,

The ending gasps of her life is still in my eyes,

I cried out aloud, “Do ropes kill people, oh skies?”

A wise man came from nowhere

Reminding me of the Lord Divine I see everywhere,

I asked, “What do you think, about the confusion?”

He answered “An illusion can never substitute an illusion.”