Answer:
What common verb becomes its own past tense by rearranging its letters?
Long and slinky like a trout, never sings till it's guts come out.
I tremble at each breath of air, and yet can heaviest burdens bear.
The ones who see it may go blind, Contracting the fool's madness. You have to dig to find it, Crush big stones or mine it. Wash dirt clumps in a pan and wait for it to settle, A shiny, precious metal.
I am a precious little thing, dancing and eating all the time. Watch me from a distance, so you can feel my warm and gentle love. But don't come to close or my next meal you could be!
A leathery snake, with a stinging bite. I'll stay coiled up, unless I must fight.