AS A DAY IN JUNE

  

The head of a water snake

Bobs through his element,

His dark body oscillating

Underneath the waves.

 

Soon he writhes upon the shore,

Disappearing in the rushes

Gradually, as the river

Slithers from his sinuous form.

 

Meanwhile I stoop with pain

And stumble to my feet,

A paintbrush in my hand—

And wish I were as lithe as he.

 

But Kundalini takes the time

I need to keep my house repaired.

A serpent need not stain a deck

And sacrifice a day in June.