Snakes

The title sets the theme for the poem and introduces the central subject.

walking in museums of quartz

The poet imagines snakes moving in places associated with precision and clarity, like museums made of quartz.

or the aisles of bookstacks

Snakes are envisioned in the pathways between shelves of books.

looking at their geometry

The poet suggests that snakes observe and appreciate their own intricate patterns.

without curves

A paradoxical statement, highlighting the serpentine nature of snakes, yet suggesting a reflection on their geometric form without emphasizing curves.

and the layers of transparency

Describes the transparency of snakeskin.

that makes them opaque,

Despite the transparency, snakes are still seen as opaque due to the layered nature of their skin.

dwelling on the yellower vein

The poet focuses on a specific detail, a yellow vein, possibly on the snake’s body.

in the yellow amber

Extends the color imagery, associating the snake with amber.

or touching a book that has gold on its spine,

Draws a parallel between the snakes’ interaction with their environment and a person touching a book with a golden spine.

I think of snakes.

The poet reflects on the recurring thought of snakes triggered by various stimuli.

A basketful or ritual cobras

Introduces a new scenario where a basket of ceremonial cobras enters a domestic space.

comes into the tame little house,

The snakes enter a domestic environment, characterized as a small and controlled space.

their brown-wheat glisten ringed with ripples.

Describes the appearance of the snakes, possibly with a shining, wheat-like color, and ringed patterns.

They lick the room with their bodies, curves

Uses personification, describing the snakes as licking the room with their bodies, emphasizing their sinuous curves.

uncurling, writing a sibilant alphabet of panic

Describes the movement of the snakes as they uncoil, creating a fearful, hissing language.

on my floor. Mother gives them milk

The mother’s action adds a domestic touch, offering milk to the snakes.

in saucers. She watches them suck

Describes the feeding behavior of the snakes.

and bare the black-line design

The act of the snakes revealing a design on the saucer due to their feeding.

etched on the brass of the saucer.

Specifies that the design is etched on a brass saucer.

The snakeman wreathes their writhing

Introduces a snake charmer, depicting him as wreathing the writhing snakes.

around his neck

Describes the snake charmer adorning himself with the snakes.

for father’s smiling money. But I scream.

Explains the purpose – the snake charmer performs for money, but the poet reacts with fear.

‘One two three four five

The blind boy begins counting.

five fingers to a hand’

Describes the blind boy’s counting and realization of the standard number of fingers on a hand.

said the blind boy counting

Repeats the blind boy’s action for emphasis.

but he found a sixth one

Surprisingly, the blind boy finds a sixth finger.

waiting like a cousin for a coin;

The sixth finger is likened to a relative waiting for recognition or acknowledgment.

a budlike node complete with nail,

Describes the physical attributes of the additional finger.

phalanx and mole

Further details about the extra finger, including the presence of a mole.

under the usual casual opposable thumb.

Specifies the location of the extra finger beneath the regular opposable thumb.

Said my granny, rolling her elephant’s leg

Introduces the granny, described with an unusual image of rolling an elephant’s leg.

like a log in a ruined mill:

Continues the simile, emphasizing the heaviness and awkwardness of the granny’s leg.

‘One two three four five

The granny begins counting, echoing the blind boy.

five princes in a forest

The granny associates the counting with five princes in a forest, introducing a folktale or mythological element.

each one different like the fingers on a hand

Describes the diversity among the princes, drawing a parallel to the diversity of fingers.

and we always looked to find on her paw

The poet reflects on the search for a unique characteristic on the granny’s hand.

just one finger left of five: a real thumb,

The expectation is for the granny to have a thumb like the other fingers.

no longer usual, casual, or opposable after her husband’s knifing temper

Surprisingly, the expected thumb is missing due to an incident involving the husband’s violent temper.

0ne sunday morning half a century ago.

Specifies the time of the incident, providing a historical context.