A narrow Fellow in the Grass Summary

The poem begins with an image of the "narrow fellow" (a snake) suddenly appearing and dividing the grass, passing by a pair of feet. Further on, it is revealed that the speaker of the poem is a boy, and he talks about how he often mistook a snake for an unfurling whip. He recalls that he would reach down and it would twist away before he could grasp it. The poem closes with an expression of respectful fear for the snake. The speaker talks of knowing several of "nature's people" (animals) and being friendly with them. Then he contrasts his feelings about this "fellow" by stating he has never met him without a chill and shortage of breath.