Epitaph for a snake I have seen in my backyard from time to time who has the trick of going missing in an instant when I try to follow it making me wonder where it goes and what else is there

Can you slide nicely by and observe, next time
you are there in the place of missing things,

My mother’s memories of me
When I was in her grasp and understanding?

Every time you disappear along the stone wall
You take something with you of the present

Stuck between your sliding scales but
Your going gives us the gravity to grieve

Denying friction while it powers every move.
Meanwhile in the backyard where you were

Every unbending blade of grass
brings up a new point against you

Your own path disappearing

Where your trail turns on its tail.
There in the place of missing things

Tonight I will send for you
To bring something missing back for me