The Snake Won't Die

A eulogy - because, of course, I did. [KuKulKan is the Mayan Winged Serpent God, the god of 2012 fame, to whom the great pyramid at Chichen Itzam is dedicated.]

They say the day might rumble,
And, the stick might shake.
They say the night might grumble,
And, the stars might break.
But, the snake, the snake, they say,
And, they say it with a frown,
The snake won't die,
'Til the sun goes down.

So, I say, for heaven's sake,
Don't go out and kill a snake!

Don't strike without a reason,
Don't kill just out of fear,
Or, because the cold-skinned snake's awake,
But, will not shed a tear.
But, if you do, hope old KuKulKan,
Does not see or hear.

So, if it comes to happen,
That a wild snake you do slay,
I warn you, as a friend,
That it is not wise to stay,
You should, most quickly, turn around,
And, quicker, run away.
Run, run, run,
Run, while you can,
While there's still daylight in the day.

And, if you push and, if you pray,
And, hurry-worry, rush and frown,
You just might make it into town,
Before the night that ends the day,
Remember what the old folks say,
The snake,
Won't die,
'Til the sun goes down.

KuKulKan's red eye,
Stabs the night sky,
Red claws pull the clouds apart,
And, vengeance,
Stabbing, pushing, pounding,
Drives his rushing, pulsing heart.
He knows just what he needs to do,
Knows what he needs to do, to you,
He does not shrink, he does not cringe,
He's hell-bent on his just revenge.

He knows the skin he needs to shred,
What bones and tendons need be torn,
Which mind be cursed, which throat made thirst,
Which tongue be burned or turned to thorn,
What words erased, which deeds be shorn,
Which soul be tortured, made forlorn,
And, robbed, so it is not reborn.

For this is something, needs be said,
Not every snake should stir your dread,
Not every snake's a demon's toy,
Some earned the light, deserve their joy.
And, some possess an angel's soul.
For them the bells in heaven toll.

So, again I say,
For heaven's sake,
Be sure that you never,
Kill a snake,
With a gun or a knife or a hoe or a rake,
For if you do,
The stick might shake,
And, the stars might break,
But, the snake,
Won't die,
'Till the sun goes down.

[January 18, 2015]

Reviews

[Workvio]

I'm doomed, I'm doomed, my heart dost swoon, in swaying staggering drunken wreak, for my soul is struck and my limbs are weak ... Alas, I murdered them snakes my mouth doth prattle, slaughtering many whose tails did rattle ... But I do repent and swear to relent in my homicidal serpentine ways in slightest hopes of living to see another day, and not live in fear or fright of what may yet lurk yonder in the night to set its sights upon me as prey in sweet delight ... I shall check under my bed each night, henceforth ... Thank you very much dear lady for a very inspiring (yep it inspired me to babble without end) entertaining and educational piece of poetry ... History always interests me, and this most certainly did ... A very fun, yet, thought provoking write on your part ... Your pen dipped and set to page is indubitably art, and a blessing to the eyes of those who behold it ...

[Vishuddha]

Well, I hardly know what to say! I am flattered and amused. I have become a Muse! Your words are gracious and perhaps overly kind, but, I don't mind. Thank you.

[Workvio]

There's no such thing as being overly kind as long as one means what one says, and your poetry is very unique, and is art in my humble book. We each have a gift ...

[Samuel Dickens]

Well, now, that explains all those bumps in my life's road--I just killed too many danged snakes! I was always out in the woods "exploring" as a kid, and I killed every snake I came across. (except for the ones that got away) I killed them with sticks, rocks and bow and arrow. Well, there were two or three really big ones that sceered me and I run off. Nice work, Vishuddah.

[Vishuddha]

Ah ha. Maybe all those dead snakes are the bumps in the road we all run over. This might explain the situation of the whole world! Kids don't know any better but, it does seem like a bad habit on the road of life, as it were. Thanks for the smile!

[Avinash]

It is one beautiful poem which calls for ancient wisdom. We are currently living in scared times when people just kill others because of imaginary fears. They take their own insecurities to be as real danger. Something has gone wrong with our threat perception. Thanks for the invite.

[Vishuddha]

Serpents once were seen as spirits of the earth and thought of as wise and wonderful creatures to be respected. Today there seems little respect for the serpent and less for the earth. Do we perceive threats all around because we secretly believe we deserve some return for our disrespect?

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

I was curious, you reviewing my poem, that I had a look at your work. I must say I'm happy that I've done that. This is really very good. Using the sounds and the repetition of words, it's fluent and rhythmic. I like this very much. :) Rudi

[Vishuddha]

Thank you. I had lots of fun writing it. I think rhythm is the most important element of poetry. I do write, often, without rhyme, but never without rhythm. I like to read poetry aloud because I think the sounds and repetitions are made more apparent.

[Rudi J.P. Lejaeghere]

That's right, I really enjoyed it. It's also a thing that I do, reading out loud, you can taste the words. :) Rudi

[Lizardo]

Wow this one great poem and I agree with you to not kill a snake, it may be good
I was reading once ( I don't remember if it were the egiptians) That they considered the snake as a model of wisdom.
One great poem, I really like this

[Marie]

I have never killed a snake, and where I live there aren't any. But I will hed these words, because I don't want KuKulKan after me.

I know all snakes aren't dangerous. Even rattlesnakes only strike if they are startled or provoked.

[Vishuddha]

Good old rattle snakes even warn you first.