In Mary Oliver’s poem “The Black Serpent,” the narrator contemplates the cycle of life with the unpredictability of death. Mary Oliver's work is “known for its natural themes and continued affirmation of nature as a place of mystery and spirituality that has the power to teach humans how to value their lives and place” (Riley). In the poem The Black Snake, the narrator witnesses a black snake hit by a truck and killed one morning on a road. Feeling sympathy for the snake, the narrator stops and removes the dead snake from the road. Noticing the snake's beauty, the narrator carries it from the road to some nearby bushes. Continuing to drive, the narrator reflects on how the sudden death ultimately revealed how the snake lived its life. This poem is divided into six stanzas of four lines each. The poem opens with “When the black serpent flashed on the morning road” (1-2). The narrator uses "when" to indicate the beginning of the story and introduces the snake as the main character. Labeling the snake as “black” gives it a dark and sinister appeal. The word “flashed” is used to demonstrate how fast the snake was moving and how quickly this event occurred. “Morning” applies to the time of day the event occurred. The narrator sees the snake darting rapidly across the road. This sets the stage in our minds. The “truck couldn't steer” (3) implies that it was an accidental death. The poet uses “truck” to suggest a large vehicle that is incapable of making rapid moves or sudden stops. The narrator sees the snake crossing the road, into the path of a large truck that is unable to stop or swerve. “Death, this is how it happens” (4). The word “death” is in italics, underlining its importance. The p... in the center of the card... the snake lived, without stopping to reflect on death or the meaning of his life. The poet refers to living life to its fullest “before he hit the road” (24). Life is fragile and although death is certain, we should not let the fear of death rule the way we live. Oliver uses the death of the serpent as a metaphor for the delicacy of life. We can live one minute, but disappear in an instant. We should all be propelled through life at full throttle, never slowing down to contemplate death. We hope to be remembered for how we lived, what we did to celebrate that life, and not just how we died. Works Cited Riley, Jeannette E. "Mary Oliver." Twentieth-century American nature poets. Ed. J. Scott Bryson and Roger Thompson. Detroit: Gale, 2008. Dictionary of Literary Biography Vol. 342. Literary Resource Center. Network. November 1. 2011.