The snakes have begun to hide for the winter. Vile egg-eaters. What a disgusting race they are. Still, one has to admire, in a way, that they choose to live at all, trapped in bodies that can only drag themselves through the dust. I don’t know how any of them can bear to live, the creatures that cannot fly. It must be so cruel for them to see that the Sun loves us best, having given us ownership the air and blessed us with such freedom and beauty.
Just look at Oni, the curve of her breast, the way it quivers when she sings. In flight she is exquisite. And yet, that is why the snake kills her children. The ugly being hates the beautiful one, hates its innate goodness and superiority, and seeks to destroy it. The predation of the snake is the price of our glory. He is the earthbound error without which we could not see our perfection. Poor snake.
From "Julius the Mockingbird," a children's story I never got around to finishing. I dug out the manuscript today, and this passage seemed like an echo of something.
Mockingbird photo from Wikipedia.
5 comments:
Beautiful, compelling, and terrifying.
I love it.
But WHAT were you thinking, girl ?
shades of the Brothers Grimm.
[BTW- READ terry Windling's 'The Armless Maiden' !!!]
Don't like snakes much do you? They are just as interesting as birds but definitely a contrast.
It is beautiful writing though.
Thanks, Anonymous. Actually, I adore snakes, as you will discover if you browse the blog. It's Julius who takes a dim view of them--hence the title of the post.
Chaya, I shall seek out "The Armless Maiden"--any relation to "The Handless Maiden?"
BTW, I enjoy your blog very much. It is a very peaceful and beautiful retreat.
I'm glad, mrb. I try to keep it beautiful--if not always perfectly peaceful ;-)
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