Thomas Martin Poet Free verse

Ouroboros

Be ye as wise as serpents' (Matthew 10: 16)


you live long enough
everything runs together
like water and sand
the circle where the serpent
coiled at the edge of the sea
seems less than
stepping on moonlight
and holding a child

you live long enough
everyone stirs inside,
your father,
long dead
remembers your face,
Your first love breathes softly
beside you in the dark

you live long enough
you'll know you loved
even when you thought
you were making love,
eyes open and unmoved
staring one way or everywhere
but mostly sandward

you live long enough
you'll remember to breathe
and wonder if you'll live forever
a grasping, almost lovely,
small-hearted thing

you live long enough
you'll slip into brightness
you'llknow of incandescence
and the long memory of the sky



(Published Sketchbook, Sept/Oct 2010)

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Debbie Guzzi May 26, 2015 at 8:01 PM Such an interesting concept! I have written of the snake also. I really liked this write. I would single space it and make a separate verse everytime you say {you live long enough} Thanks so much for reading my verses> Light & Love Thomas Martin May 26, 2015 at 10:39 PM Thanks for your helpful comments! I appreciate real criticism always!