The snake was part of the river
Disappearing into the snake-
Shaped shadow of slow water.
We stood on the orange clay bank.
A redbreast aligned by the current
Pulling free the shine of its skin.
The surface of the Rappahannock
Lit for a moment by transference:
A little energy here, a little there.
The copperhead neared where
We felt for the first time our spines
As bolts trapped inside bodies.
