Like sable coils of twisted cord that glisten in the light,
Scales round with tiger stripes are scored, death spoiling for a fight.
Draped on a stump – a tree long dead, bone dry in heat of day.
A flickering fork from poisoned head that smells the air for prey.
Mulberry bow, black fletched with crow – an arrow, notched, half drawn.
The boy, the hunter, stealing slow, makes not a sound to warn.
The serpent looks with steely eyes that see no danger yet.
Though close below its burrow lies, the hunter’s trap is set.
A powerful arc, a full drawn bow, the snake in mortal fear,
It dashes for its den below, an arrow thudding near.
A blur of sleek uncoiling rings, swift down the hole it glides.
The bow string twangs, the arrow sings, through flesh and bone it slides.
The threshing tail flies side to side, a writhing lashing whip.
Escape from certain death denied, held in the arrow’s grip.
The hunter draws it from its lair, lays on the ground his prize.
The vanquished of a contest fair, like bloodied rope it lies.
And so plays out the ancient duel ‘twixt snake and son of man.
Lays slain the fleeing serpent cruel, as in the Maker’s plan.
© Dennis N. O’Brien, 2011
dnobrienpoetry 
Another excellent poem! There is so much to like about it that is simply exactly right – alliteration, rhyme, rhythm, the flow, holding together as a well-crafted unit, the metaphors. Enjoyed immensely!
Thanks very much for the comment which I very much appreciate coming from a poet such as yourself. I have a very clear recollection of this event. I was about 12 or 13 when I killed this snake on our dairy farm – it only took one arrow, but that’s poetic license.
I publicized it on my facebook page. I don’t know if you’ll get any views from it because I just get occasional ones myself. My friends aren’t poetry lovers – guess modern poetry has ruined them. 😦 But again, it was extremely well done.
Thanks very much for that – I agree with you on most modern poetry that I read. It does nothing for me. I’m thinking about publishing my weekly shopping list as poetry, at least it would be more interesting than a lot of the obscure moaning and groaning prose (at best) that I see all over the place.
I’m with thebardonthehill here…
A really good piece!!!
The lines are really long, but boy do they work!
Have also shared on my Facebook page… most of my friends are ‘poets’ and Writers, so hopefully You’ll get a few visits my friend!
And as Dennis knows, I’m totally with the pair of You on the subject of ‘Modern’ poetry…
Glad you like it and thanks very much for the Facebook share.
Nicely done Dennis. I’d like to keep track of you so I have asked to be notified of new posts via email– Audrey Howitt here as divalounger. I am at Blogspot with my other poetry—http://audreyhowittpoetry.blogspot.com/
This is superb Dennis!!! Wonderful imagery in this piece. I was engrossed all the way through 🙂
Thanks Norma.
What they said! I’m happily on board with your: (a) writing with rhythm, rhyme, and classic attention to the full flavor of the words, (b) storytelling with a terrific sense of drama, and (c) not, apparently, taking yourself too seriously. Delightful stuff, this! I’ll gladly read around your blog further! Thanks for the visit to mine so I now know of your work!
Well thank you so much Kathryningrid and I will be touring your blog in the future as well.
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Yes–a big yes to everything thebardonthehill said. This is a terrific poem!