Laura Jayne at Pictures, Poetry & Prose poses a daily writing challenge.Too much for me to do daily but occasionally? Why not.
The Snake
Forked tongue, stoic face,
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Steely eyes survey its space
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Tension coiled for a chase
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Threatening cold embrace
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Sinuous moves, unctuous grace
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
Oils away without a trace
Flicker, flicker, flicker.
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© J Cosmo Newbery
© J Cosmo Newbery
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What prompted you to choose the snake as the topic to write about?
ReplyDeleteOh, I like the imagery by the way. You have sort of reversed part of my life - a friend once described sex with a Filipino nurse of our acquaintance as like 'wrestling with an oiled snake'. The oily references to the snake sit well.
ReplyDeleteUnctuous grace is an oxymoron, methinks, but it sounds good. Is this a gender neutral snake? A remnant of your Riki Tiki Tavi youth?
ReplyDeleteI thought unctuous meant oily. Why is that incompatible with grace? I'll stand my ground on that one! :-P
ReplyDeleteLee: Why did I choose a snake? No idea.
ReplyDeleteSo glad you shared here and there your Snake charms. Will be thrilled to have you back whenever you can... daily or occasionally.
ReplyDeletebrings back memories ..
ReplyDeleteohhhh, the snakes i've known ..
You certainly have been prolific with your poems over the last couple of days...you are a talented man. ♥
ReplyDeleteI really dont like snakes, cold, slithering creatures...I've had too many close encounters living near the bushland...
Not a big snake fan but I like your poem.
ReplyDeleteI am being familiar with the cobra snake and I am saying that it is very much as you describe.
ReplyDeleteim a little mongoose
ReplyDeletelong and lean
the baddest snake killa
you ever have seen
put us in a pit for some
fightin' extreme
i'll rip that unctuous oiler
then wipe the floor clean
Oooo...horrid little mongoose!
ReplyDelete"–adjective 1. characterized by excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, esp. in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug.
ReplyDelete2. of the nature of or characteristic of an unguent or ointment; oily; greasy.
3. having an oily or soapy feel, as certain minerals."
Maybe I was thinking of Dictionary.com's #1 definition, which characterized the Serpent's manner as he seduced Eve (and Adam by default.) They fell from grace and were no longer full of grace - ahem... graceful - but, the poet knows best. I just wanted to explain my logic, Bard.
;-P
ReplyDeletePerhaps it has something to do with snake oil salesmen too?
ReplyDeleteWe'll let you off this time. :-)
I have to say...if Santa really knows if I've been good, or bad...
ReplyDeleteI'm totally screwed~
:)
Well, that explains your angelic smile!
ReplyDeleteWhat does Santa have to do with snakes? I'm missing something here.
ReplyDeleteGive us a poem about Rudolph, Cosmo. It would be... well... really seasonal (or maybe just well-seasoned...)
SS: Mayden has replied to a comment I put of her blog, so we are cross pollenating a bit here. But that's OK.
ReplyDeleteRudolf, huh? Let me think about it.
I've given you an award... come to my place and get it!
ReplyDeleteAhhhhhh.
ReplyDeleteThat's all I have to say. I'm not proud.
Your blog makes me happy. I admire your restraint and focus. I love your poems and photos.
ReplyDeletealas there was a poor old snake I know,
ReplyDeletewhen the wrong road did he did go.
He was squashed flat
with a greek speaking mouse eating cat,
but why the greek was eating his cat while speaking mouse I'll never know.
Ah Boneman, it's good to have you back!
ReplyDeletecan I have some wine, now, sir?
ReplyDelete