In "The Snake" by Theodore Roethke, he tells of the time he sees and snake on a stone. This snake is described as young, having a thin mouth, and hanging limp on the stone. The snake then turns away and leaves Roethke with a realization that he wants to be like the snake. In this poem, Roethke turns the snake, which is a terrifying creature, into something beautiful and desirable. His connection with the snake and realizing his beauty creates a relationship between Roethke and Nature.
This poem could also be Roethke's realization of feelings that he labels as "the snake", which could be what he wants to become. He finds in the snake the "pure" and "sensuous form" he desires to be. Therefore Roethke declares he wishes that he, in his human nature, could be more like this young snake. When Roethke says, "And I may be, some time" the snake, he is expressing his attitude towards becoming what he longs to be. He is expressing his feelings towards the pure and appealing snake in Nature that he sees.
