Clear Snake

By Mary Bowen

Clear snake tie old man to earth.
Clear snake follow up steps and down.

Hiss detached—hiss live in box, hiss hide in box,
Box on ground. Hush Mum! I say,
He keep house always—
Old man’s clear spirit stay to ground.

Death got nothin but the hiss say the box.
Death ain’t nothin but his.

Clear snake slither up his nose.
Clear snake siphon his hot spite.
Clear snake goes and go and no thing will
Put old man to rights.

Hush! Mum say, He still your Daddy.
Hush! box say all day and night.