Serpent of Song

Inspired by The Serpent written by Theodore Roethke located in A Children’s Book of Verse, Illustrated by Eric Kincaid, Poems selected by Marjorie Rogers. (Brimax Books)

Once upon a time a serpent lived who sang and sang and sang all day and all night

He forgot he was a serpent and was not very scary anymore in today future

Not content with his life of blowing flames and causing fear he begin to sing

Jealously prevailed all around for such a sweet utterance had never been heard heard

Given this and that they tried to still the sound of melodious flow but none could stop for within it never ceased return return

He continued on and the birds begin to sing in trio below and above step by step they kept abreast of each note

Hearing the duo of trio an angel appeared and stroked his head and said continue on and on and on and on

Replying with modesty fair he said I will I will I will

By

Felicia McCaw