For the second time, 
a snake fell from the ceiling of my art studio
just a few feet from my head.

I was standing on a chair
driving nails to hang new twinkle lights and
stumbled back, nearly falling,

messy bun catching on a strand of lights
as I righted myself and realized
it was just a little ring neck

probably aggravated
at my disturbance hammering and
looking for a quiet place to hide.

I took a few deep breaths and
returned to my task
a little more aware of every small sound.