Snail

In rain I walk and feed.

My one foot sliding, gliding.

I move slowly, ghostlike.

Floating edges grazing the ground

like the skirts of a settling hovercraft.

I am burdened by encapsulating shell

which I utilise with mysterious ease.

Drawing back and recoiling

from sharp stones, from grass spears.

My body is pallid, lightly scaled.

with probing detectors

Ever-Searching feelers.

I am cold as ice

waxed and rhythmic.

A blind scare-head,

a four-horned deity.

I press the earth,

suck it hard.

My shell is glazed and shining,

high coils of precious beauty

with curled lips of finest enamel

that are silky smooth.

My wake shines and glistens.

An opalescent ribbon that
charts my nocturnal journey.

I am blind and cannot see,

but I know

Where I have been.

Reviews

[Lydia Shutter]

Life from a snail's point of view. Your imagery was so precise, I felt repulsed by the slimy creature! Good work. Lydi**

[Lyn Anderson]

A delightful poem for sure, and a really interesting personification.

[MAD ENGLISHMAN]

I love this. How you have captured the detail of the snail. We often look at things but never really see them. A wonderful ode to a snail.

[Einstein Noodle]

ahahahaha! i love this ..absolutely love it!! the ode to the snail ...thank you so much for my new found appreciation for the slimy little buggers! well done ... beginning to end ... and there is no end to how one can relate to the metaphor .. don't know where i'm going ..but sure know where i've been! nice to have a slim trail for those who may be slipping into forgetfulness ;)
E.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

okay...big Wow....

you describe me perfectly with your metaphor...that shell, walking slowly through life, so careful, and yet burdened by a heaviness of the past...

damn if only we could break free...and run right back into love...

this is so damn good, T.

[Terry O'Leary]

Surreal... burdened with start imagery!! Fantastic!!!

[Ed Hart]

a lovely write, it glistens

[Woody]

brilliant, Will!! as always you have a fine poetic touch. it would never have occurred to me to write about this tiny creature. stunning details. I'll pay more attention next time I see a snail.

[Neville]

What an absolutely smashing study you have made available here my dear literary friend.

You have just convinced me that reincarnation is a distinct probability. How else could anyone, even a poet have such empathy and insight into the ever moist, always cool and otherwise fascinating existence of one of my own personal all time favourite creatures? Cheers Terpsichore .....N