Stanza-1
The snake trying
to escape the pursuing stick,
with sudden curvings of thin
long body. How beautiful
and graceful are his shapes!
Explanation: In this stanza, the poet describes how a snake is trying to avoid the approaching stick with the elegant and non-linear moves of its body. The poet fell in beauty and charm of the snake and he had also appreciated gracious moves of the snake. The poet is really amazed at the shape and graceful slithering gliding of the snake.
Stanza-2
He glides through the water away
from the stroke.
O let him go over the water
into the reeds to hide
without hurt. Small and green
he is harmless even to children
Explanation: In this stanza, the poet has described that the afraid snake is making its way into the water so that it can avoid the possible harm and go unhurt into the reeds. The poet requests not to cause any harm to that beautiful snake which is harmless even to the children and to allow it to go to its hide.
Stanza-3
Along the sand
he lay until observed
and chased away, and now
he vanishes in the ripples
among the green slim reeds.
Explanation: The poet, in this stanza, says that the green snake was lying along the sand until it was observed by someone, who started chasing it. But, the snake moved fast and hid itself into the reeds. That's how it saved itself from the pursuer. The colour of reeds is also green.
Conclusion of The Snake Trying
The Snake Trying summary reflects the evil tendency of human beings to hurt creatures that are harmless and innocent.