“The Legend of the Serpent” by Jeremy Paden

181 Replies

When God tilled the earth
and laid down a garden
in the very center of it
where water and earth
would be one and winter
would have no name
because no word bearing
being would know or dream
of snow, ice and darkness.

God placed in the middle
the snake and said, three
canoes cut from the trunk
of a bitterwood tree
will pass by and death
will be riding in one.
Guess correctly and life
eternal will be yours.

Perched on the first,
yellow headed vultures
feasting on rotten flesh;
in the second, warriors
painted and hungry
for battle; but the snake
slipped into the third
canoe, empty and light
as it bobbed downstream.

So when the snake outgrows
its body it leaves
behind its skin as it
continues to lay
down coil after coil
of body that twists
about itself and through
the rivers and the roots
of all the world.

-Jeremy Paden

181 thoughts on ““The Legend of the Serpent” by Jeremy Paden”

  2. Rae Cobbs

    Every poem has its worth, but this one traces an alternative creation myth, and all the Eve’s and Adam’s of the world thank you! Beautifully done.

    Reply ↓

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