Poems and Thoughts    by Frank Maurer

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Encountering a Cobra while on Horseback. (Lesotho, Africa). Horses are a vital means of transport in Lesotho (Le su tu). I had refined, more and more, my equestrian skills. By owning a horse, as a foreigner, it creates a job of care for a Mosotho. The mountainous terrain of Lesotho is a dream for those who love riding. Lesotho is home and the origin of the Basotho Pony-- A horse which has been bred to Triple-- A smooth gait somewhere between a trot and a cantor-- Pull back, push forward, both simultaneously! One day, when concluding a ride on my wonderful Pony, I entered the University residential area for faculty, When I noticed a cobra crossing the dusty road, Moving slowly towards a house and its children playing nearby; Together with a chicken coop, harboring the quest for any respectable cobra-- Many nest boxes where hens have left their ovulated prize--eggs! I called out to the children to take cover in the house, Then rode quickly to the Science Building, harboring its now very needed implements: Goggles to shield the eyes from a very--several meter--accurately spitting cobra And a pole to knock the dangerous snake senseless! A gallop back to the spot, snake's position immediately determined, Then a quick, smooth, humane interaction, and it was done: Children safe, eggs conserved and a new specimen for the biological collection. Now, somewhat overwhelmed, I walked my horse to restable, Unharnessed it with uneasy hands in the quiet equestrian shelter. Frank Maurer 1 February 2023 1525 Hours. (Note: In Lesotho, true cobras, genus Naja, are not common; rather the monospecific genus Hemachatus, the Rinkhals or Ringhals or Ringneck , is prevelant. It is cobra-like and I used 'cobra' as a generic, more familiar term.)