The Snake Coils Around

​The snake coils around, next to
Your heel. It is at ease. Continue
Your prayer—I mean, you yourself
Are entwined with God, every sinew,

The eclipse dims the afternoon,
Nitrous oxide smudges the hills.
Continue to pray, don’t cast your mind
Into the snake, the smoke of the mills,

The griffin rides the thermal currents,
It is not frightened of a coiled snake,
In fact, the sight of the snake 
Sharpens its eyes. Over the lake,

It knows what it will do. The plain
Is strewn with strained volcanic rocks,
In space, the black hole releases light,
And the yoke guides the lumbering ox.