One morning as I closed the cyclone-fence gate / to begin…
““One morning as I closed the cyclone-fence gate / to begin a slow drift / down to the cookhouse on foot / (because my truck wheels were glued / in deep mud once again), / I walked straight into / the waiting non-arms of a snake, / its tan beaded-bag skin / studded with black diamonds. Up it coiled to speak to me a eye level. / Imagine! that sleek finger / rising out of the land's palm / and coiling faster than a Hindu rope. / The thrill of a bull snake / startled in the morning / when the mesas lie pooled / in a custard of light / kept me bright than ball lightning all day. Praise leapt first to mind / before flight or danger, / praise that knows no half-truth, and pardons all.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Encountering a snake awakens awe, linking natural beauty to inner exhilaration.
In simple terms: Seeing a snake sparks awe and excitement.
Key Takeaway
Notice wonder in unexpected natural moments.
Themes
awe
nature
transcendence
Mood
poetic
evocative
Type
nature
spiritual
When to use this quote
- morning hikes
- wildlife observation
- creative writing
Key Concepts
symbolism
ecology
mindfulness
Questions to Reflect On
- What natural encounters have moved you?
- How can you turn fear into wonder?
A Different Perspective
Some may feel fear rather than awe.