The whole / length of the snake is the length // of my brother’s body.
-- Speaker (Lines 1-3)

Importance: Here, the speaker uses repetition of the word "length" to compare and layer the images of the snake with Cyrus' body. This repetition imbues these lines with rhythm, which occurs at multiple points throughout the poem. The plosive alliteration in "brother's body" generates an audible pulse that brings the reader's attention to this shocking comparison.

I don’t know why he wants to hold them.
-- Speaker (Line 6)

Importance: This line illustrates that the speaker is beginning from a place of not knowing. From here, she goes on to freely observe the scene before her as well as delve into her memories in order to form a conclusion about her brother's relationship with snakes. Judgment does not taint the speaker's observation. Rather, saying "I don't know" is an honest appraisal of where she is at in her considerations.

Constricting and...
-- Speaker (Lines 8-10)