Facing off an Eastern cottonmouth snake

Back in 2010 I went on a young adult retreat near the Potomac River in Va. And on the second day, we were sent off, to have some quiet time, with God, and I had my ipod shuffle, and sat on a log.

Sitting on a log and singing my heart out,

I did not see you, nor did I sense you.

As I sung my heart out to our Maker,

You seemed to wonder, if to make a move or not?

What stopped you from attacking, I have no clue.

For at the moment, I had no clue, yet there you stayed,

right across from my lap, and steadily you stared,

swaying left to right.

As I was ending the song, I felt this overwhelming presence,

keeping me calm. 

I opened up my eyes and could not believe,

there you were, right in front of me!

Your tiny beady eyes, looking about, and your tongue,

flicking in and out.

I froze in panic, and was about to run, but 

you would have bitten me, before I got off

So there I stayed put, not moving a muscle.

And there you were, swaying from side to side,

as I felt in my heart, to sing a new song.

And sing I did, with all I could muster, 

and not sure what you felt and or wondered.

But after a few more minutes or two, you finally

made up your mind, and slowly untangled yourself,

and started going towards the water.

For one second, I wanted to go in with you,

because I thought how unfair, that you

could be refreshed, but alas,

I was stopped by my Angel about.

And ever since that time, I wonder

about, what stopped you,

from striking my leg?

For I was totally unaware of your presence, until almost the very end.

Reviews

[Carol Cashes]

This reflects your absolute faith in God and his promise to honor that faith with his protection. It is deeply religious and the story itself indicates divine intervention both then and again to spark this gem. You are the revival-tent witness with the testimony that pulls praise hands up in the pew. I'm humbled.

[Coyote Poetry]

Most snakes are peaceful. .Only attack if your bother them. I enjoyed the story and I'm glad you were not bitten. Thank you Maria for sharing the amazing story.
Coyote

[barleygirl]

What an excellent detailed description of your encounter, full of dynamic suspense as we wait to see if you survive! Eeeek! I very much believe that the wild creatures are attracted to our singing (it's happened to me many times with non-threatening critters). When the creature is highly dangerous, it's hard to treat it like just a critter, but it's logical that the snake would respond to your spiritual vibes. This is everything I love in a story about nature & God . . . plus highly original, which I love.

[JC]

a beautiful look at the symbiotic connection we can have with nature at times. a really beautiful and thought provoking read,

[Ethan]

Wow that's awfully creative

[Zephyr]

The imagery you create is beautiful Maria:)
Keep writing dear!
I almost saw the snake reading this!

[SweetNutmeg]

I don't normally do poetry as I don't really know what to say about it, but here goes... One flaw stuck out for me, interrupting the flow and I don't know if it is a typo:

and not sure what you felt and or wondered.

If it's not a typo, using "and or" feels, umm, like you are unsure what word to use now, not that you were unsure during the moment of the story happening.

Other than that it flowed very smoothly, no other snags to detract from your story telling.

[Maria]

I applaud you, Loved how you put that down, and to be honest, did not really take much thought into it. Thank you for your input though, much appreciated.

[Writer at last! Sky ~]

If I look to you, I look to you. I think, he went off because he dint wanted to disturb you or perhaps, disappointed that he can't enjoy the ipod lol....

Jokes apart, even though the world and people may not be like the mirror the nature truly is, if you loves the nature it loves you back and gives you a lot return. Unlike the humans do...

[Maria]

Interesting point of view Sky. Very true. Thanks for the review

[duff]

Some sort of intervention took place and thankfully so or else you could have been in some major trouble. Tranquility but the reminder of the wild always lurking. It does make you wonder why you didn't get bitten. Thought provoking stuff. I like it.

[Maria]

True. Yes indeed. Glad you enjoyed