#412
After the Fall
Yesterday Eve saw a snake;
It called to her in passing:
"Don't worry Lass, God's humor is
Original and surpassing.
Two days from now you'll see how right
It was to take that first quick bite
With Adam sure to follow,
Though today it's hard to swallow.
So please don't fret, you ain't dead yet,
For pain is just an empty threat,
Though I'll be on my way today
Before Himself finds more to say,
And takes another body part;
His humor's what sets Him apart!
Adieu, my Sweet, Adieu."
#338
Birds and Serpents
Safe in their nests,
Secure under ground,
The long snakes of summer,
Are no longer around;
The leaves have all fallen,
Leaving bare ruined choirs,
Yet the blue jays still chatter,
Like their tails were on fire.
#303
On the Road
How could it be
So thin and green,
Three blades of grass
With a rough-hewn sheen;
Two black eyes
On its narrow head,
Raised above
The blacktop bed;
A lovely creature
Though a snake,
Long and still
And clearly awake.
#219
Sinister Meetings
I peered down through the foliage green,
Down to the garden floor;
There I saw peering up at me
A nature I abhor.
It had an evil reptile head,
With evil reptile eyes.
Though just a garden garter snake,
It caught me by surprise.
#218
Oops!
In our garden lives a snake
Whose vision's weak and dim.
Last week I found him wrapped around
The garden hose so prim.
#119
So Long Snake
Simon met the Rat Snake
On the path of grass and stone;
Astonished, he let loose a bark
That rattled wood and bone.
The snake continued gliding
O'er the rough-hewn garden walk,
While Simon kept on barking,
Not interested in talk.
When Simon closed upon him,
The snake reared up his head;
Simon suddenly remembered
He hadn't made his bed:
He suddenly remembered
He hadn't made his bed.
So Long Simon!
click the image to enlarge
Having dealt with the fallen self, it seemed right to try the unfallen, grace-sustained Mary.
#93
Mary in the City
Wrapped around the lamppost,
The Serpent twitched his tail.
As Mary close approached him,
He bowed and uttered, "Hail!"
"Oh best of women, Mary,
Linger for a sspell.
I have an offer just for you;
I think you'll find it ssswell."
The lamplight shone on Mary's head;
The Serpent grew quite shy,
Or was it just a serpent's trick
To cause her to draw nigh?
"Lovelier than the reddest rose,
Far fairer than the night,
You think an angel spoke to you:
It was the bright lamplight."
"Oh Serpent coiled about the post
In simple subtle ways,
I know the value to a Tee
Of all your words of praise.
"So take yourself off to the woods
And leave this urban sprawl.
Though Eve your words may have believed,
I know who urged the Fall."
The Serpent thus unwound himself
And fled into the night,
While Mary went upon her way
And took with her all light.
