I visit Epidauros
for the temple and pay
the costs at the gate

Here Health's father
heals people, a snake eats
from the bowl in her hand

I get a seat in the court
and a cup of herbal drink
Half asleep I see a snake

coming out of the temple
I feel it licking my toe
but I dream

of a young man
who gently rubs soft ointment
on the sore that torments me

I receive a rod and
the spirit of the snake
winds around it

young in a new skin