the tail of the serpent
lives in two directions
caught in its own mouth
shedding lifetimes like skin
the tale of the serpent
exists in plain vision
told through the mirror
in the name of a sin
in the name of a sin
where the gods change their names
at the foot of the tree
where an angel's sword flames
where an angel's sword flames
and the faces perceived
are the whim of two myths
but which one to believe
but which one to believe
both tales end the same
the tail offers no meaning
for men born out of clay
for men born out of clay
whose destiny
is to accept food from the gods
or the fruit from the tree
or the fruit from the tree
sweet and bitter to the taste
when cast down from the heavens
or sent to toil in the wastes
or sent to toil in the wastes
for when serpent defends man
its legs are removed
it can no longer stand
it can no longer stand
to defend heaven's gate
from the jealousy of a god
who lost control over fate
who lost control over fate
as son falls upon son
empty rivers lie before them
wind breaks before the sun
wind breaks before the sun
and the garden becomes desert
for the tail follows full circle
and the tale is forever
Roger B. Humes
Copyright © 2003 |
