there’s a snake coiled in the bed

there's a snake coiled in the bed
of my chest. it waits to be fed,
diamond eyes biding my tongue,
that slippery elm:

winding like wire looping trigger
with chamber. of flesh, of stone
of snake sleeping, not dreaming
in blackness of coal. hunkered down,

eyes shut, thirsty.

there's a snake with skin like black
pearl gleaming, forked ribbon fixed
to my tongue, lancet to the abscess
of venom, my sin ever before me.

(Annelies Zijderveld)

Daily Worship Resources

Daily Office Readings >

Daily Office Readings come from the Book of Common Prayer, a schedule of daily Bible reading that accords with the Church year. These readings are great worship resources for personal, family, or group use. Use it along with your City Church Worship Folder as a resource for readings, prayers, and hymns.

Printable Devotion

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