Laura's challenge this month was to write a poem comparing a snake to something fresh---in eight lines or less. Since I'm currently evacuated due to Hurricane Dorian, I could see no other choice but this:
Hurricane slithers
the coast, rain-venomed
tongue lashing inlets
and bays. A ruddy-banded
snake, it neither uncoils
nor shutters an eye, yet crawls
the map, striking land,
swallowing towns.
Hurricane slithers
the coast, rain-venomed
tongue lashing inlets
and bays. A ruddy-banded
snake, it neither uncoils
nor shutters an eye, yet crawls
the map, striking land,
swallowing towns.
----Sara Lewis Holmes (all rights reserved)
I can't wait to see how snakes inspired my poetry sisters!
Poetry Friday is hosted today by Poetry for Children.
Sarah, in light of the disaster named Hurricane Dorian, your snake slithers and lashes out in a creative way. Stay safe.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I'm fine and enjoying Poetry Friday as a distraction!
DeleteA rain-venomed tongue is ...so horribly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteWeather is often horrible-beautiful.
DeleteYep, you captured it. Rain-venomed tongue, ruddy-banded, still coiled. I hope it slithers off today.
ReplyDeleteMe, too. Be gone, ye serpent!
DeleteOH SHIVERS, SARA!! This is so evocative and spot on....
ReplyDeleteThanks, Liz. I actually admire snakes, but the shivery comparison was too good to pass up.
DeleteThe creepiest part is:
ReplyDeleteit neither uncoils
nor shutters an eye
I know they're taking care of you, but be safe...
I have popcorn. All is well. :)
DeleteOh, my--so deliberate and venomous and dark. I love it! My favorite bit is that you use slither not just as a verb but as a transitive verb. Magic!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the challenge, Laura....while I was pondering it earlier this week, I saw snakes everywhere---not real ones, but in tree roots striped in orange for safety on a running trail, and in bloated cylindrical tidal barriers floating by the shore, and even in my food. Thanks a lot. :)
DeleteBam! what a poem. It's got a perfect example of voice. "Tongue lashing inlets" "rain venom"
ReplyDeleteCan I use this with my students? I love it and so will they.
Of course, Linda! Let me know if I can help you in any way.
DeleteThat 'swallowing towns' is a sad truth, but hope that snake slithered right by your home and area. What a sad week this was for so many.
ReplyDeleteSuch an apt poem for the past few weeks. I hope we don't have a whole mess of such snakes crawling our coastlines.
ReplyDeleteI adore this poem. Each time I read it I think of the Bahamas and that last line just kills me.
ReplyDeleteWow! This snake-hurricane comparison is vivid and powerful! Thanks for sharing your poem this Poetry Friday!
ReplyDelete