Snake, or: Feathered Serpent

Posted on by ben Alexander

Poetry Partners #1

A poem by Murisopsis of ‘A Different Perspective’

I carry a heavy burden
Everyone I’ve ever met sits
Friend and enemy alike
crowded on my back
I wish I could shed them
Wiggle out of this skin
Snagged on adversity
And leave them behind
Be free enough to fly
Even so
They are
Part of
Who I am
Freed from this old dull dry skin
I am still a snake tempted
To eat the bird
I wish to become

A poem by ben Alexander of ‘The Skeptic’s Kaddish’

     Wisdom and deep learning; your
words that move the sun, wind, and air;
flap those majestic, feathered wings,
     Quetzalcoatl, Creator;
     scales sparkling with perceptive
          perspectives, shifting into the wind, mighty
          Ehécatl; lifting, yes, carrying with care,
               gloriously shining, Morning
               Star, Tlahuizcalpantecuhtli, glowing
          over the resplendent quetzals, spider
          monkeys, rattlesnakes and men,
               looking to you for understanding (who
               wouldn’t?), but your words,
          forms are limitless, Feathered
          Serpent; your holy narrative, flowing,
     twisting tail; come, ground yourself in human
     body that men may know your love; but conch wind
jewel an eternal reminder that life, health, crafts;
these, but rich facets of your being; your 
     true burden, concern

Let’s write poetry together!

When it comes to partnership, some humans can make their lives alone – it’s possible. But creatively, it’s more like painting: you can’t just use the same colours in every painting. It’s just not an option. You can’t take the same photograph every time and live with art forms with no differences.

–Ben Harper (b. 1969)

Would you like to create poetry with me and have a completed poem of yours featured here at the Skeptic’s Kaddish? I am very excited to have launched the ‘Poetry Partners’ initiative and am looking forward to meeting and creating with you… Check it out!

List of Poetry Partners

45 thoughts on “Snake, or: Feathered Serpent”

  2. love your colab David!
    I can’t say I blame those baby Ellie’s (my daughter has a stuffed animal that went everywhere with her and her name is Ellie). 💖👏👏👏

      1. And now that I can read it better (without the colour)… even better… WOW. You’re rocking it!!!! the form pulls it all together. Very beautiful.

  9. Ah! David I love that my poem was an inspiration for your own free verse in undulating, slithering form! Excellent photo and connection with the Aztec gods – wonderful all around!!

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