SNAKE ISLAND

"Ages ago," my Indian says

(As we are fishing in a cove

Of this green island, with its trees and shacks),

"Here was wild grass and many snakes.

After a while they disappear,

For soon the white man comes, and makes

Houses like these to live in!"

So the old name is suddenly made new.

Snake Island! ...

Ages ago, perhaps, the trees were elfin

And tall grass towered to the skies,

Until, to all those narrow, screen-like eyes,

This was a dazzling fen,

Perplexed with tangled fern,

Peopled with glittering prey;

Dense borderland to where the black pools lay

Whose captives twist and turn.

Burrowing, boa-like, harlequin snakes,

Your day was brilliant and flashing enough!

Snakes casting skins in continuous slough,

Grass snakes and ring snakes, on dragon-flies bent.

Was there a charmer, with musical pipe,

Lured you a moment? Some Indian charm

Surely touched you with sorcery, gave you alarm,

Ere the people who meant to build houses like these

Came and killed you--

And killed the wild grass.