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Footnote: At The Zoo
The aging snake's fangs
lack venom; it is too old
for vigorous strikes.
Even rodents---its only
diet---seem to mock at it.
On a flat rock, like
a dried, enlongated turd,
it lies---its raspy
hiss and baleful stare
behind glass: the Reptile House.
Master Basho, your
noisy frog is safe from this
decrepit relic---
who will soon roast, writhing on
some stake in hell's hottest flames.
Kyakuchuu
