The Snake Looks Back

It has been long since I was last venomous
Since I snapped off my weapons striking at mortar 
Biting at walls to get myself free
I spilled my poison and let it burn the ground below

Long time since I was animal enough
To hold myself justifiably savage and turn myself loose
Upon the right target to do what was needed
Even as the earth bubbled and blistered underfoot

I fail toward an end I would prefer to avoid
Someone must fail if others are to win 
It’s black letter law written with a poison pen
Made from a fang that fell to the ground

From out of my shattered mouth
When I broke my own power
Trying to be what I never had been
I’ve come back to my own as I come to my end