I am the serpent
undulating, smooth mounded earth.
I meander your secrets,
fossilized creatures and bones
soils of thousands before you.
My head and tail mark each solstice
beginning and end, light within me,
but I do not cease in either place.
My spirit continues as grasses
a wave of wind in ancient song.
See me and then seek others,
mounds of shapes for ancient eyes.
Yours too can see my living rest,
effigies and raised birds in earth.
Share my calm. Join my native prayer
and let me be.
Serpent Mound in Ohio. According to Gloria Steinem’s My Life on the Road, “Like so many other mounds, it would have been destroyed to make room for construction if money hadn’t been raised to save it, in this case, with the help of a group of women at the Peabody Museum of Massachusetts.” I’ve never seen Serpent Mound but have been to Effigy Mounds in Iowa. Written for dVerse, Pub for Poets’ challenge: write an ecopoetry by exploring and dwelling in our relationship with nature in such a way that implies responsibility and engagement.
lillian the home poet 
I admire the personification of the serpents~ Love this part best:
My head and tail mark each solstice
beginning and end, light within me,
but I do not cease in either place.
Share my calm. Join my native prayer
and let me be.
Thanks for joining us Lillian ~
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I agree with Grace on all points. A great poem!
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Thank you, Melinda.
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You’re welcome 🙂
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Thank you, Grace. These are special places…..quiet….it seems to me the “grace” of earth.
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The thought of such a construction to guard the soil rings with ancient wisdom… the serpent become the sentinel to watch those bones of past… really an invitation to conserve… love that though
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Thanks for the kind words, Bjorn. These are very special places to see…..hopefully they will stay protected.
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How cool that you chose the voice of the serpent. I did not know about serpent mounds and am happy that one was saved.
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Than you so much for the read — glad you liked it. Effigy Mounds in Iowa is not as big but equally as serene.
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My spirit continues as grasses
a wave of wind in ancient song.
See me and then seek others,
mounds of shapes for ancient eyes.
I could feel each line and each word. Splendid work 🙂
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Thank you! A wonderful compliment and I do so appreciate your response.
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I like “See me and then seek others.” Your whole poem really honors these mounds. I am so glad that this one and others have not been destroyed in the name of ‘progress.’ We definitely need to ‘share the calm’ and let them be! I really like this poem!
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Thank you, Mary. Effigy Mounds evokes a serenity when you stand and gaze upon it. I remember feeling like I was one with those long passed.
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I am awestruck by “share my calm.” Personally, I truly believe God invites me to do that regularly, through nature. I don’t always listen, but when I do, I am rewarded with beauty, and peace.
I also love:
“I meander your secrets”
Fantastic use of “meander” here.
And that last line! “let me be” — not “leave me be.” LET me. Allow me. Quietly join me, in being still, yourself. Love it.
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Thank you thank you. So very glad you enjoyed this one….I’m certain that Serpent Mound would evoke even more serenity and thoughtfulness for me than did my visit to Effigy Mounds. These are sacred places.
Interesting you picked up on “let me be” — I had “leave” then changed it to “let” then back again and finally settled on “let” for exactly the reasons you’re pointing out here. 🙂
I always appreciate your close reads…and am so pleased to read your responses.
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‘Let me be’
Your serpent analogy encompasses everything.
Beautifully penned.
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Thank you so very much! Truly appreciate your kind words.
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I have such an interest in these ancient, sacred places, Lillian. I’m so glad that at least some have been protected from “progress.” They seem like they would be a good place to meditate and would be conducive to calming the spirit. I have no doubt that they hold special, healing energies. Thanks for sharing your beautiful words that convey the importance of these amazing sites.
Gayle ~
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Your words made me think of the pyramids built by Mayas, that “play” special light/shadow effects each solstice.
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Have never seen the pyramids………but believe they are also a site that must be protected, yes?
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Yes, and they are protected in Mexico –at least the known ones. There are many still hiding under soil, jungles, and rain forests.
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This is an amazing poem about such an amazing place. Thank you for sharing this,mvery inspiring and shows how much the human species once connected with nature.
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Thank you so much for your reply. These mounds are from another time and it is my hope they will be preserved.
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This is subtle but profoundly moving. The kind of poem that works in my mind slowly so that meanings come clearer over time. I enjoyed reading it a lot.
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Thank you so much, Suzanne.
I often like to read a poem a number of times — kind of like chewing cud .. I’m originally an Iowa gal😊
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I’m an Aussie so the Iowa reference is a bit lost on me – I’m guess it’s dairy cow country. I live in cow country at the moment too.
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Yes – Iowa is very rural. 😊
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So glad the site was protected. Sad that some see no value in it. Thanks for this poem. It made me aware of yet another struggle to conserve what matters.
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Thank you, Myrna. I learn so much reading others’ works. This blogging world is quite remarkable, right?
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Remarkable poem lillian.It flows so effortlessly and says so much.
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Thank you!
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Snakes.. slithery.. slimy..
cold blooded.. often
poisonous.. a
lowly reminder
that the
meek
inherit
the earth
even
without
legs..
they shed
a sKin anew..:)
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I hate snakes….but in this case, these sacred grounds, the snake is a good thing.
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Smiles.. Yes.. my friend.. Snakes.. Can be sacred grounded too.. in metaphor at least..;)
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wonderfully captivated…the words and the image bring tranquility that Nature has in profusion…
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Thank you for the lovely comment! So very glad you felt the tranquility of this special place.
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