Snakes (two poems by Sulis)

Growing up in tropical countries and now living in the Ozarks (southern Missouri), snakes have a certain presence in my life.  They also occur in my dreams.  The first poem below was inspired by one such dream along with a discussion with someone who feared snakes and the discovery of two snake skins in the same week (one in water, one on land) back in 2006.

The second is a healing poem written to express some anger and sadness I was feeling (2008).  Both, in fact, describe the repression and expression of emotions which in many of us (and certainly in me) are often stored in the abdominal area. 

When these feelings are held down over long periods of time, years perhaps, they can have physical and health consequences.  A recent series on the website describing my aquatic bodywork practice considers this from a personal and professional standpoint.

Here is some of the symbolism of snakes and serpents which can also be found in my personal references:

• umbilical cord, joining all humans to Mother Earth
• Earth mysteries of renewal, rebirth, regeneration
• immortality as depicted by circles and spirals
• guardians of underworld or messengers between the worlds
• guardians of temples and other sacred spaces
• associated with water especially the primordial ocean
• connected with deceitfulness and vengefulness
• poison and medicine - expanded consciousness, divine intoxication
• wisdom, healing and creation

Snakes

I dreamt
that snakes covered
my lower body
or were they
moving out?
I knew they would
not bite me
if I remained still
in perfect calmness

A brave woman
I know fears
snakes
but draws them
to her
These snakes
were inside me
She would have
been terrified

Awake I found
a snake’s skin
floating
in water
Rippling life
though translucent
flawless
I kept it
between glass

But I yearn
to translate
the strong clutch
of my insides
into seething chaos
into undulating pulse
To see diamonds
in my dreams

To be fearless

Hysteria

I know how
the black snake felt
when she fell
from the steamy rafters
of the homemade sauna
on to the slippery shoulders
of an oblivious man.

Her heavy looped length
like a witch's tresses
broke his certainty.

The cup of water hissed
and evaporated.

His heart flailed
while she flashed
dark lightening.

Interior her hysteria
like hot vapor
escaped into the crack
of a violent night.