Gopher Snake

The gopher snakes

out in our field

lying around

they like the feel of gravity

that keeps them there

hard on their bellies

oats growing overhead

for shade

until Dad mows the field

and hawks prowl:

a red-tail hawk folds

dives

for an instant his wings unfold

stall

impact closes the talons

around our snake

lifts him up .

to heaven

the snake drips down

swinging free

with no reality left,

he doesn't even realize he's flying

I suppose,

never gets the whole thing

in perspective.