Somewhere In These Woods

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Somewhere In These Woods

April 7, 2011 by Julie

Somewhere In These Woods

For Marty

A diamondback rattler

sheds her skin on the path.

She rubs her nose over

sticks, rough red rocks–

slides and curves across

the moss of fallen logs.

Bit by bit, she exposes

those black gems

slick with the newness

of a thicker rhythm.

She will not transform

into puny blue wings.

Undulating muscle

will become

a six-foot long

version of herself.

Queen of venom,

born again

in dead pine straw,

she will multiply

then curl up, unseen,

in puddles of sun

sleep with her eyes

wide open,

flick scents of dinner

beside gopher holes.

Yesterday left on the trail

like a crumpled up note:

somewhere in these woods,

she grows bigger every year.

-Julie Buffaloe-Yoder

Juvenile Copperhead in a Carolina river (photo taken by Julie).

Posted in poetry | Tagged beautiful, eastern diamondback rattler, growth, memory, nature, poetry, shedding skin, snake | 73 Comments

73 Responses

on April 7, 2011 at 5:27 pm Susan Gabriel

Hi Julie,
I lived in Colorado for several years, where rattlers are plentiful, and you’ve created a beautiful image here. I like the couplets and the short lines. It’s a beautiful snake of a poem, if you know what I mean. Thanks for sharing it.

All the best,
Susan
on April 7, 2011 at 6:04 pm Julie

Hi, Susan. I’ve only seen pictures of Colorado and flew over the mountains, but going back to explore is on my “bucket list.” It looks so beautiful!

I’m actually a big fan of snakes (from a distance). This one was inspired by a childhood memory when I watched a rattler shedding its skin. A conversation with a friend prompted me to dig out the draft and revise it.

Thanks so much for the good words! Have a beautiful week.
on April 7, 2011 at 9:09 pm Ruth

Ah, those last two stanzas, Julie! The crumpled up note leaving a spooky message, she could be sliding around in her six-foot power.

moss of fallen logs feels so good on my lips.

It’s good to see you and a new post.
on April 7, 2011 at 9:24 pm Julie

Hello, Ruth. Thank you very much! It’s great to see you. I’m sorry for being so slow, especially lately. Life keeps me chasing my tail these days.

But I appreciate that you came back to read. I look forward to catching up with you, too. I enjoy it so much!
on April 8, 2011 at 1:18 am dan

julie, when i come on here & see that u posted im ready to do the 2 step. i love it. lucky for me, ive got workshop tomorrow. cant wait to show this one.
on April 8, 2011 at 1:21 am dan

just realized the snake could be u. damn ur GOOD.
on April 8, 2011 at 3:10 am Julie

Haha! Dan, I can’t pull anything over on you. But I’m extra tickled to see your all caps, because I know how much you hate to do it.

You’re so good to me. I appreciate you more than I can ever say.
on April 8, 2011 at 8:43 am Ruth

Thanks to Dan about the snake being you. I wonder how many reads it would have taken me to get that. :-)

Even more wonderful now.

*****************************************************
Ruth, the funny thing is I didn’t intend it to be me (or even realize it could be something I was thinking) until I had written it. Isn’t it wild how poetry is also psychoanalysis? But I’m perfectly happy if people read it as a snake/nature poem, which is what I really set out to do. Egad…the first draft was three pages long, because I wanted to show all the description of the snake (it really was a beautiful site to see).

Thanks a million, Ruth. I appreciate you so much. -Julie
on April 8, 2011 at 9:30 am TWM

Julie how in the hell did I miss Rosalee? Put that and this together and we will have us one hell of a presentation poet. Me personally I am a microphone whore , when i WANT to be but that snake had to shed a lot of skins first.

Slap yourself on the ass, believe what everyone tells you is true about your work and then if you have to go to the Piggly-Wiggly and have your own open megaphone. your work is too good to keep it just here or in journals.

It needs to be strutted for real ’round that damn market while you take a bite out of everything and open a few packs of cookies just because you can. And leave your words behind for the cashiers to discount your order with even though they are for auto parts, you’re good enough, I promise you they will ring them anyway.
on April 8, 2011 at 2:51 pm Julie

Hello, WM. I do appreciate your support and awesome words. I would never think of you as a whore of anything, though, because the microphone is where you belong (and one of these days, I’ll have the privilege of being there to watch and listen).

A reading at the Piggly Wiggly would be fun…haha! It would also be a great way to bring poetry to the people.

Thank you very much, my friend. It has been wonderful to read your work and get to know the man behind the words.
on April 9, 2011 at 2:46 am The Storialist

Chills.

I always end your poems thinking, “And then what happened?” I am always hanging on your words.

Happy spring!

****************************************************

Hi, Hannah. Happy spring to you! Thanks a million for your kind words. I’m glad to see you and look forward to seeing what awesome work you’ve produced this week. -Julie
on April 9, 2011 at 6:37 am jack

I’m glad I came back and read the snake was you. I wasn’t much interested or able to enjoy it the first time. I only took a look and got out.

However it would have been more appealing if you were a ’52 chevy Pickup or an ice cream cone – work on it.

(I am happy you can be anything you please.)
on April 9, 2011 at 8:55 pm Julie

Hi, Jack. Thanks so much for your opinion, but personally, I find snakes much more interesting than ice cream cones (or kitty cats). And ’52 Chevy Trucks are way overdone. Unless, of course, you can come up with an original angle and way of telling it. Have a great weekend!
on April 9, 2011 at 9:09 pm JR

With all the crap going on in my life, I found your poem very uplifting. I, too, am in transition … somewhere in the woods.
on April 9, 2011 at 9:41 pm Julie

Hello, JR…and thanks very much.

I know what you mean about crap (life can be so rough), but I wish that there wasn’t crap for you.

Hang in there, buddy. You’re talented, and your transition will take you a long way.
on April 10, 2011 at 4:49 am Terresa Wellborn

To curl up unseen in puddles of light, born again, sleeping with her eyes open, how is it I feel this poem defines me, uncannily?

Excellent poem, Julie, excellent!

*****************************************************

Hi, Terresa. Yes, that could describe you perfectly, and I think snakes are beautiful, which also describes you perfectly.

In other words…you are beautiful!

Thanks so much for the good words. Have a great week. -Julie
on April 10, 2011 at 4:23 pm Lorenzo

Hi, Julie. Doing some blog catching up here. I have reread this poem several times, so appealing is it. The keen observant eye, ever unjudgmental, finding beauty in a creature we which tends to fill us with a primal atavistic fear. I love the curled up in ‘puddles of sun’ and the ‘crumpled note’.
on April 11, 2011 at 5:29 pm Julie

Hello, Lorenzo. I know what you mean about “catching up.” I think we’re all having that sort of time lately, at least I know I am. I feel like I’m constantly chasing my tail these days…ha! But it’s so good to see you at any time, Lorenzo. Thank you very much!
on April 12, 2011 at 9:03 am ashleycapes

Another great poem, Julie – love the protagonist of this one, and the (as ever) effective descriptive powers you display!

Especially love the ‘black gems’ a perfect description.

Ash
on April 12, 2011 at 2:02 pm Julie

Hi, Ashley. It’s awesome to see you. I was just thinking about you. That happens to me a lot…I think of a person, and then I see him/her, which is wonderful.

I creep myself out sometimes, though. Last night, the phone rang, and I knew it would be a friend from years ago. Her name and face just popped into my head, but we haven’t seen each other in years. Sure enough, it was her. Isn’t that weird? In another era, I would have been burned at the stake. Ha!

But I ramble too much :)

As I meant to say before I went off on a monologue, I’m always glad to see you, and I hope you’re doing well.

Thanks so much for your kind words!
on April 15, 2011 at 5:42 am odessa

hi julie,
hope all is well. just dropping by to say hello. i missed ‘talking’ to you. been reading your posts/poems through my google reader so i seldom come and comment here. i am so grateful that you are still writing. cheers! xo
on April 15, 2011 at 3:21 pm Julie

Hi, Odessa! It’s awesome to see you. I’m sorry to be so slow in coming around lately, but I’m trying to rectify that and get to a “normal” schedule soon (as if I can ever be normal…ha)!

But it brightened my morning to see you here. Thanks so much for reading and dropping in to say hello. I hope you’re doing great. xox
on April 16, 2011 at 2:55 am joaquin

damn, julie. this one – trying to swallow a lump in my throat. it’s that beautiful. hit me that hard. not so much the regeneration as the towering, absolute strength of it. the endlessness of it. am i making sense? if not – well. i love this one. a lot.
on April 17, 2011 at 4:47 am Julie

Hi, Joaquin! Thanks very much. I do appreciate your kind words. Please excuse me for taking so long to get you up here. We’ve had a nerve racking weather day here, but many have it much worse, so I can’t complain. I hope you’re doing well. Will return soon.
on April 22, 2011 at 5:57 pm George

Hi, Julie. Like Lorenzo, I’m also catching up on blogs I’ve missed over the past few weeks. Your tale of the rattler shows not only your artistry, but your ability to get beyond fear and conditioning. I would like to say that I have done the same with respect to snakes, but I would be lying. Many years of walking barefooted through the woods of southern Mississippi has left me with my own reptilian fear of snakes. I think it has something to do with the inability to relate emotionally to a cold-blooded species, though that feeling is nothing more that irrational prejudice. As for the suggestions that the snake is actually you — well, I suppose there is more that just a little snake in all of us. Evolution proceeds at a glacial pace and it may be that more traits are assimilated that lost.
on April 25, 2011 at 4:14 pm Julie

George, it is so good to see you. I have been the world’s slowest about visiting blogs lately, and to tell you the truth, I’m always a little surprised when a blog friend drops in (because I haven’t deserved it). But I’m very happy!

I’m trying very hard to get back on a normal schedule. Hopefully, it will be soon. Thank you so much for hanging in there with me.

And thank you for the good words about the poem. I don’t blame you at all for being wary of snakes. They terrify me, too, especially the ones that “surprise” me with a sudden appearance (in reality, I’m the one who has invaded their territory). And maybe that is part of my love for them. It’s nice to know they are still out there.

They are…from a safe distance…quite beautiful, too. Watching this snake shed its skin was amazing. Absolutely beautiful. Eastern diamondbacks are the most venomous rattlers, but it wasn’t worried about me…or out to “get” me. It was just doing its thing. I love that.

Thanks again, George! It’s a pleasure to see you, and I will be by to visit soon.
on May 19, 2011 at 2:27 pm Brendan

Terresa at The Chocolate Chip Waffle gave you some much-deserved PR. So happy to find you. Your eastern diamondback somehow reminds me the poets all have totems, that we break into tribes: wolves, eagles, snakes, dolphins. I wouldn’t have this rattler grow in any other way — so much good stuff to be found there in the dirt. An entire poetic. My Florida is swamp and beach of a certain altitude of soul, almost tropic, overdeveloped, tragically home, already lost, inexpressibly beautiful. (Well, I try.) Looking forward to much future reading …

***************************************************************************************************

Hello, Brendan! It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you very much. I look forward to checking out your work, too. Isn’t Terresa awesome? I love her work, and she’s such a dear blog friend.

Swamp and beach! I love it. I grew up on the water in Carolina. It used to be an unknown place, but now it’s getting discovered. It’s still relatively isolated, but we’re hoping to keep it that way. It’s a constant struggle.

Thank you again for dropping in. I look forward to getting to know you. -Julie
on May 19, 2011 at 5:23 pm Old 333

Liked that. Glad to find yet more poetry for my reader-thing to feast on – thanks for sharing your work out here!
on May 20, 2011 at 3:38 am Julie

Hello, Old 333! That is the coolest name. And I am intrigued! I look forward to checking you out, too. Thank you very much for the kind words and for dropping in.
on June 3, 2011 at 6:33 pm Brendan

So …. how about something next for your fans? — Brendan

**************************************************************

Hi, Brendan! I apologize for being slow lately. I had an unintentional hiatus, but it is temporary. Life got in the way for a while, but it’s okay now.

I thought I was coming back last week, and something else came up. But I will be back to posting and visiting very soon. I’ll definitely be by to see you. I enjoy meeting people very much. Thank you so much for stopping in. I really appreciate it. Have an awesome weekend! -Julie
on June 4, 2011 at 10:56 am Lynne Eve Grossman

“undulating muscle
will become
a six foot long
version of herself”

Julie, I like these lines especially
Always enjoy reading you.
on June 4, 2011 at 10:57 am anonymous

oops- The previous comment was from “gel”.
I now have a blog with my real name.
on June 5, 2011 at 3:45 am Julie

Hi, Gel! It’s awesome to see you again! I hope you’re doing great. I look forward to seeing what you’re up to. As I was telling Brendan above, I had a temporary hiatus. It was unexpected. But I should be back around real soon. I’m planning on this coming week. As always, I appreciate your kind words very much. Thanks so much for stopping in!
on June 9, 2011 at 11:42 am JR

I thought I’d check in, see what you’re up to. As for me, I remain blogless due to prior postings appearing in the courtroom. I hope to be back at it by this fall.
on June 10, 2011 at 1:26 am Julie

Hi, JR. I really appreciate you checking in. But I’m so sorry about all the hell you’re going through. Please shoot me a line via e-mail if you need an ear…or just to chat. And do let me know when you’re blogging again. Take care.
on June 24, 2011 at 10:27 am Josè Pascal

Surfing the waves of the web I am pleasantly stranded in this nice blog.

I write under the pseudonym of Josè Pascal (a descendant of the great Colonel Aureliano Buendía).

I invite you to visit my italinglish blog http://parolesemplici.wordpress.com/mytinbox/. I define this blog “In parole Semplici” as a “virtuacultural tin” box where they are guarded thoughts, memories, images, sounds, and simple stories. ”

If you want to participate and for have more informations send me a letter to inparolesempli@gmail.com

Good life and I hope to soon
Josè
on June 24, 2011 at 11:02 pm Julie

Hello, Josè! It’s very nice to meet you. Thank you for dropping in. I have been very slow with visits in the past couple of months due to life, but I will drop in to see what you have. Thank you again!
on June 27, 2011 at 9:47 am Josè Pascal

Ciao Giulia,

thanks for the reply. With great pleasure I add your link in my blogroll.
I hope you are well and that you will receive many visits.

My tin is always at your disposal.

*************************************************************

My apologies, Josè! I did not see your comment. I’m very sorry for taking so long to get you up here. Obviously, I haven’t had my act together in the blog world lately. I’m hoping to remedy that when life calms down.

Thank you for the link. I will get you linked, too. Again, it’s so nice to meet you. Have a beautiful day! -Julie
on September 22, 2011 at 2:50 am holly22473

Julie, fabulous, as always! Love the sounds in my mouth…so lovely! Especially love: slick with the newness/ of a thicker rhythm
on September 22, 2011 at 4:03 am Julie

Hi, Holly! Thank you! It’s so good to see you. I’m trying to get my act together to get back to blogging. So much has been going on. Hopefully, it won’t be too much longer now. I’m glad you’re back!
on November 5, 2011 at 10:44 pm Yousei Hime

Missing you. I’m finally back to blogging myself. I look forward to your return. :)
on November 7, 2011 at 1:27 pm Julie

Hello, Yousei Cousin!

I have been a terrible, awful, no good, rotten blogger. Haha! But I’m still planning on coming back when life lets me. Hopefully pretty soon.

Thanks so much for dropping in. It’s great to see you again.
on November 7, 2011 at 2:56 pm Yousei Hime

Silly Girl, You are not alone in needing to abandon blogging for a bit. I’ve been off for awhile, then in and out at best. I know what you mean about life. Dad gum that contrary thing. Do your best and I’ll watch for you.
on November 16, 2011 at 9:12 pm Julie

Thanks, Yousei! I appreciate it very much.

Dad gum contrary life…haha!
on November 29, 2011 at 5:45 pm Glenda

Julie, I miss you. I hope life is being kind to you. It has its ups and downs. That’s for sure.
Your post on my blog is still one of the most read.

Happy Holidays.
on November 29, 2011 at 11:38 pm Julie

Hi, Glenda! I’m so happy to see you! I miss you, too. I was just telling a friend about your beautiful poetry. I know she’ll love your work, as I do.

Things are doing better now. I hope to return to blogging as soon as life settles down a little more.

I hope things are going well for you. Happy holidays to you, too. Thanks so much for stopping in. It made my day!
on December 28, 2011 at 12:28 am Scot

buffaloe gals wont you come out tonight…
on December 28, 2011 at 2:05 am Julie

And dance by the light of the…moonshine. Haha.

Hey, Scot! How’s it going?
on December 28, 2011 at 2:20 am Scot

just thinking of you and wondered what you were doing–been awhile–hope this finds you well this holiday season–always love your words
on December 28, 2011 at 3:18 am Julie

Thanks so much, Scot. It’s awesome to see you. I love your words, too.

I hope you’re doing well and having a great holiday. I’m okay now…just catching my breath for a bit.

I miss talking to you. Drop in anytime!
on January 1, 2012 at 2:20 am ashleycapes

Happy New Year, Julie! (and everyone!)
on January 1, 2012 at 8:57 pm Julie

Hi, Ashley! Happy New Year to you! I’m so glad to see you. I hope your year is fantastic.
on January 2, 2012 at 1:35 pm ashleycapes

And yours, Julie! Mine is starting off with much needed leisure time. Very happy! Catching up on some reading (slowly)
on January 3, 2012 at 5:49 pm Julie

Oh, yes. Leisure time and reading. That sounds like a great start to the new year.

Do you have anything new out, Ashley? If so, please let me know. I enjoy your work so much.
on January 6, 2012 at 3:22 am swapna

Nice to be back here reading just the right string of words and imagery i needed to get the year going. Happy New year!
on January 6, 2012 at 4:01 am Julie

Hi, swapna! It’s great to see you again. I love your picture.

Thanks so much for stopping by. Happy New Year to you!
on January 19, 2012 at 7:44 am ashleycapes

I wish I did Julie :) Newest stuff is my haiku collection from 2010, and you’re way ahead of me there. I’m workin on it but!
on January 20, 2012 at 4:42 pm Julie

I know what you mean, Ashley. I haven’t even submitted in a long time. But I’m writing a lot. So, that’s good.

Anyway, be sure to let me know when you do. I look forward to reading your work!
on February 8, 2012 at 2:57 am kolembo

who’s marty?

Very good stuff. Your choice of words, your making of the snake into not a pupae…

Haha…you have me worried about going into woods!
on February 8, 2012 at 2:49 pm Julie

Hi, kolembo. Marty is a friend, and we had been having a discussion about snakes when I wrote this poem. He thinks I’m a little nuts, because I love watching snakes so much. From a distance! Haha!

This poem was inspired by the memory of watching a rattler shed its skin in the forest. It was an amazing sight to see.

Thanks so much for stopping in. It’s great to see you!
on March 18, 2012 at 3:33 pm Narendra

It is hard to believe that you haven’t updated the blog since about an year!

You are somebody I have been following since long time, you’ve inspired me to write so much in the past. My blogging died almost and I returned here to read you, just to be surprised that you haven’t been blogging too!

Hope things are fine!

PS: I don’t mind even a bit, if you can’t recognize me. I am insignificant! :)
on March 19, 2012 at 12:37 pm Julie

Hi, Narendra! It’s great to see you. Of course, I recognize you. You have always been kind to me, and I appreciate your support very much.

I keep saying that I’m going to post something, but before I know it, another day has passed without posting. Haha! You know how that goes. Life takes us away sometimes.

I’m glad you’re back. I’ll stop by to see what you’re doing. Thanks for coming by to say hello!
on April 8, 2012 at 8:56 am S.L. Corsua

Hiya, Julie. I’ve just resurfaced from my one-and-a-half-year blog sabbatical. When are ya gonna do the same? :) I stopped by and was welcomed by a rattler. Under any other circumstance, I would have jumped out of my skin in a panic attack. But not here, no. You made me like THIS snake as a creature to behold. I think it’s the second stanza that got to me — it strikes me as so unexpected an observation to make, and yet real all the same.

I’ve missed reading you. Your style of writing still transports me elsewhere, effortlessly. Many, many thanks. I hope all is well with you.
on April 11, 2012 at 9:48 pm Julie

Hi, S.L. It’s great to see you! I keep saying that I’m going to post a poem, and then another day passes. Hopefully, I’ll get my act “semi-together” before too long. Semi-together is the best that I can hope for. Haha!

I hope you’re doing well. Thanks for all the good words and for stopping by. My computer’s getting fixed tonight, but as soon as I get it back up and running, I’ll stop in to see what you’re up to. Thanks again…I’ve missed you very much!
on October 14, 2012 at 2:37 am bibleteacherorg

Hi little Sis – love your poetry :)
on October 17, 2012 at 6:09 pm Julie

Hey, David! And I love my big bro! xox
on March 2, 2013 at 1:34 pm durfeem

Hey Kiddo type by Hello!

**********************************************************************

Hello, hello! Is this my buddy Mark? I sure do miss seeing folks on here. Thanks for the type by. -Julie
on March 30, 2013 at 11:25 am ashleycapes

Hi Julie, hope you’re doing well!
Just dropping by to see how you;re going, haven’t seen a post from you in a while now :)
on April 5, 2013 at 11:09 pm Julie

Hi, Ashley! It’s so good to see you. I keep saying I’m going to post something, and then another month passes…haha! Life gets in the way, but all is okay.

I hope you’re doing great. Let me know what you’ve got out there to read, okay?
on July 4, 2013 at 3:15 pm ashleycapes

Hi Julie! I know what you mean – I just came back to see how you were and it’s been months since I last visited – 2013 is flying by!!!

I actually had my fourth poetry collection released late last year, I’d love to hear what you think of it, absolutely! Here’s some samples and links:

http://ashleycapes.wordpress.com/between-giants/

Hope you’re doing well – and that a new poem is right around the corner for you :)
on October 7, 2013 at 9:23 pm Julie

Hello, dear Ashley. I’m sorry it has taken me so long to respond. My mother passed in July after a long illness, and it has been rough. Now, my father has been seriously ill. But…he’s starting to improve and may get to leave the hospital soon. We’re hoping and praying!

Anyway, I don’t mean to ramble on about myself. My slow response isn’t intentional. I’m thrilled that your book is out, and I can’t wait to check it out. I love your work, and I’ll definitely spread the word!
on November 11, 2013 at 11:28 am ashleycapes

Hi Julie, please don’t feel bad about time between responses! It sounds like you’ve certainly had a truly terrible time, I hope everything gets easier soon. Hoping your dad is going well too, sorry again that you’ve had such a rough time.
on January 9, 2015 at 12:20 am Julie

Hi, Ashley! Once again, I apologize for taking so long to say hello. It has been a rough couple of years. Well, “rough” might be an understatement…shew! But that’s no excuse. I hope you’re doing great! Thinking of you.