Righteousness shall be the belt around his waist, and faithfulness the belt around his loins. The wolf shall live with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the kid, the calf and the lion and the fatling together, and a little child shall lead them. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder's den. Except, that is, for the snakes. I don't know anybody who wouldn't prefer their absence.
Lions are regal and sheep are cute, but snakes are slimy and eerie and slither on their belly.
They have pointed tongues that jab in and out, as though salivating for the taste of prey, and eyes that never close. A few of us have felt their fangs. The rest of us avoid the shadows and the tall grass, cautious and afraid. There is safety in that approach, but loss as well. Of course fear is not the only obstacle to Isaiah's portrait of peace.