Snake Oil

Wasn't I the poisonous one?
Strung, licking up swindlers' milk just stay awake
While laid to bake in the sun–
Bone dry, well done

I'll only sip if this elixir saturates my blood
Starvation grubs away at my brain
Drained, a drop intoxicates
Love just takes one taste

And once I bite
My spines entranced
By a dance
Hypnotized
My Tongue finds a chant
Captured like a charm
I'm wrapped around their arm

Shed my skin
Show my fangs
Sink this venom in
I've let them win
Now let my battle begin

Life spins
But still, my rattle shakes
Why should I be ashamed
Of these luscious veins?

If I could get a grip–
Tight, constriction
I'd kill my victim quick
Then I'd swallow him whole
But I've been sold
Such a hold on my soul
Has snake oil
Take me to boil
There's only so much I can fake
These sirens strike like snakes

And once I bite
My spines entranced
By a dance
Hypnotized
My tongue finds a chant
Raptured like a charm
A savage is disarmed