Python / Escape are headed over to “dVerse Poets Pub” night tonight at http://www.dversepoets.com

“Python” was inspired by the line “tell me about despair” in the poem “Wild Geese” by Pulitzer Prize winning poet, Mary Oliver. I was inspired by that particular line, as well as her use of flowers or animals in her poetry titles/content.

Creative writing instructor/poet, Reinekke Lengelle suggested that I write a response to “Python”, thus “Escape” came several months later. For those who do not know Sheri-D Wilson, she is a published poet, spoken word artist, and writing instructor. Check her out at http://www.sheridwilson.com

 

I.

Python

The serpent lurks.

Harmless when

hidden among the tall fragrant grass

blades moving slightly

from the whisper of a breeze.

Waits patiently

for opportunity to strike

not suddenly,

but effortlessly,

coiling lazily,

moving upward

wrapping fourteen feet

of tourniquet body

around my soul,

tightening with each pass,

constricting,

compressing.

The vise grip of despair

holds me first, then

swallows me whole.

 

II.

Escape

Utter darkness,

nothing but the slimy

disgusting insides

of the snake

waiting to digest me.

I think of the bumper sticker “WWJD?”

“What would Jesus do?”

But then instead I think:

“What would Sheri-D do?”

Poet, warrior, goddess.

She’d slay this situation with her tongue,

Or pull an emerald embellished

pewter handled blade out

from her imagination,

slicing open the snake skin

with a sudden jabbing thrust,

then a long slide down,

freeing her body, mind, spirit

along with her voice

 

Copyright Suzanne Wood 2013.