Snakes

What I said through the snake

(Shamanic workshop, Letchworth, 2 April, 1995)

I am blind snake, bleached in the barren cave,
waving in water, waiting: a watcher
who cannot see, swift to surge and strike.
I am tongueless water-breather, at times testing
the alien air then upwards arrowing,
in high rearing, a hooded head.
I am old Mind, unremembered and know too much,
and will slip from my long sloughed skin,
while rocks receive my body new with reeds.

Chris Clarke

4 April 1995

To Quetzalcoatl

Last night I saw Quetzalcoatl, feathered serpent,
sweep the sky with pink, and violet rustling wings.
But stay!
Once you blazed in Aztec times, and saw
when flinty knives cracked out their victims' hearts.
And were you also there when Abram's son was bound,
or when we waged our steely wars?
Bringer of life and wisdom, sped you then aloof,
or is it blood that tints your shining wings?
Rainbow, snake, you arch alike in Aztec mound
and in Australian cave. Most potent God,
you gaze with victim's pleading eyes,
and, when by day your bow is bent to shoot,
to your own breast in heaven the arrow flies.

Dance workshop, Isle of Wight, 12 Nov 1995