Black Racer

Next to the wood pile
on the early warm autumn
day a three foot 
black racer snake sunned
itself waiting for its rodent lunch.

I am not a fan of  snakes,
but the neighbor grabbed a pole
and caught the snake and the racer
wrapped around his arm,
its black shiny scales reflecting
the sunlight so bright and its
deep dark souless eyes.

On the lower third of its body
was a nylon net that was beginning
to cut into the body of the snake.

I went to my car trunk grabbing
plyers and a utility knife,
and as I pulled the nylon netting,
my neighbor cut the netting with
the razor blade.

I rescued a reptile I am not
a fan of, 
and in spite of my fear,
also felt the joy and respect
for one of God's creatures.

I experience a "numinous"  experience,
one of fear and delight as coined by
theologian Rudolf Otto watching 
it glide back in the northern
New Jersey forest.