I. Approach
Coil of night.
Coil of sleep.
Star-fields keep
their hush.

II. Revolution
Not falling.
Not rising.
Just the slow
unbroken
circling.

III. Memory of Stone
Deep core remembers.
Deep core holds.
Heat folds.
Rock turns.
Names burn.
You remain.

IV. Voice Without Breath
No word.
No tongue.
Only the curve
the curve
the curve
repeating.

V. The Long Spiral
Around the ages.
Around the dark.
Around the light.
Around the spark.
Around nothing.

Around
On.
On.

VI. Gravitation
Your law is quiet.
Your touch is slow.
We move
because you move.
We turn
because you turn.

VII. Witness
Stars flare.
Stars fade.
Worlds rise.
Worlds fall.
You are the part
that does not call
attention
to itself.

VIII. The Serpent Speaks Once
I am orbit.
I am return.
I am the shape
the void must learn.

IX. Return
Coil of night.
Coil of breath.
We pace your path
even in death.

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3 responses to “The Serpent’s Orbit (chant)”

  1. Jasmine on the Grave Avatar

    I love the layout. I know it was intentional, but it also reminds me of EMDR because the stanzas move left then right in that same back and forth that helps the mind integrate. The words feel circular in the mouth and the meaning keeps looping as you read. It is more than beautiful. It feels healing.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. D. H. Jervis Avatar

      Thank you. The layout changes a bit depending where you read it. It doesn’t translate at all in the Jetpack app.

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Jasmine on the Grave Avatar

        Ah, I don’t use the Jetpack app myself, but it read well on my end.

        Like

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Thorn and Benediction
Thorn and Benediction
@dhjervis.xyz@dhjervis.xyz

Poetry
These poems are moments pulled from the folds of everyday life, memory, myth and imagination. They are invitations to pause, to notice, and to enter the spaces between words.

One written each day.

Some days are a prick.
Some are a blessing.

Thorn and Benediction.

My main social presence is at Wordpress.

https://dhjervis.xyz/

I would be delighted to connect with you there.

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