Kenneth Patchen

Here you will find the Poem The Deer And The Snake of poet Kenneth Patchen

The Deer And The Snake

The deer is humble, lovely as God made her 
I watch her eyes and think of wonder owned 

These strange priests enter the cathedral of woods 
And seven Marys clean their hands to woo her 

Foot lifted, dagger-sharp?her ears 
Poised to their points like a leaf's head 

But the snake strikes, in a velvet arc 
Of murderous speed?assassin beautiful 

As mountain water at which a fawn drank 
Stand there, forever, while poison works 
While I stand counting the arms of your Cross 
Thinking that many Christs could hang there, crying.