Today I had my 7th encounter with a snake in the past 8 years. Prior to that, I had only seen snakes at the pet store. Not sure why my adult years have been filled with snakes. Many who read my blog have heard the story about the 5 foot black rat snake coiled in my laundry room at the Ashokan house. Two additional 4 foot snakes fell in front of me. One was on a table in my living room, the other on the roof of my house. This is the short version of the story. For a long time I suffered from post traumatic snake disorder. I would see a belt on the floor, and immediate get a rush of anxiety.
When we left the Ashokan house, I was relieved that I would never have to encounter snakes (and bats) ever again. But last year we were ushered out of the water because of a poisonous water moccasin. I vowed to never go to Minnewaska again. But there I was again last month, and came across two additional snakes (albeit much smaller, and they didn’t fall in front of me).
Today’s snake encounter was a 4 foot black rat, about 2 inches in diameter that was slithering in the sand at the Saugerties Beach. Everyone stopped to watch. The lifeguards called their supervisors on the cell phone, mothers gripped their children. I stood silently watching the design it left in the sand, eager to show Alan. A teenage lifeguard followed it, seeming to want to touch it. I encouraged him to leave it alone - that it may scare the children (and adults). I have to admit it gave me a thrill to watch the snake. I think I am starting to really like snakes.
My mother used to joke about how snakes were a sign of fertility. I need to confirm that. Later on tonight when I have time, I may explore the role of snakes in mythology. I'm starting to get a bit curious. There has to be a reason why my life has become full of snakes. (4 the past year) Plus, I seem to be cured of my PTSD.
In the meantime, I promised Jamie that I would post a poem I wrote about snakes which I probably wrote about 5 years ago. It’s based on Jungian psychology. (I can't get the text to coil, so just imagine each line disjointed)
the trickster
i cannot grieve, i can not give
i cannot hold venom
i am
spiritually soft in the sand.
When we left the Ashokan house, I was relieved that I would never have to encounter snakes (and bats) ever again. But last year we were ushered out of the water because of a poisonous water moccasin. I vowed to never go to Minnewaska again. But there I was again last month, and came across two additional snakes (albeit much smaller, and they didn’t fall in front of me).
Today’s snake encounter was a 4 foot black rat, about 2 inches in diameter that was slithering in the sand at the Saugerties Beach. Everyone stopped to watch. The lifeguards called their supervisors on the cell phone, mothers gripped their children. I stood silently watching the design it left in the sand, eager to show Alan. A teenage lifeguard followed it, seeming to want to touch it. I encouraged him to leave it alone - that it may scare the children (and adults). I have to admit it gave me a thrill to watch the snake. I think I am starting to really like snakes.
My mother used to joke about how snakes were a sign of fertility. I need to confirm that. Later on tonight when I have time, I may explore the role of snakes in mythology. I'm starting to get a bit curious. There has to be a reason why my life has become full of snakes. (4 the past year) Plus, I seem to be cured of my PTSD.
In the meantime, I promised Jamie that I would post a poem I wrote about snakes which I probably wrote about 5 years ago. It’s based on Jungian psychology. (I can't get the text to coil, so just imagine each line disjointed)
the trickster
i cannot grieve, i can not give
i cannot hold venom
i am
spiritually soft in the sand.
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