Serpentine

Jade, green emerald or malachite
are no match for the mystery
of this sea-green mineral stone
buffed smooth as snakeskin
and laced with thin rivulets of yellow fire.

Its oily, olivaceous surface
is mottled like a lizard.

Forged by slow alchemies
of fire and water,
part of the ocean's crust made visible
through the immensity of deep time,
this druid's ceremonial disc
is magic amulet, a shining
quern of healing power.

I wear it round my neck
as talisman, encouraging
the marvellous, also protecting
against the dreadful;

though everything we fear
may not be quite as dreadful
as we think; may even contain

mysteries and little marvels.