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Spider's Last Dance

Sipping my coffee on a crisp
but sunny fall morning, I noticed a brown spider
hanging from a single thread
attached to an awning in our back yard

It wasn’t moving, possibly waiting
for its next meal to wander into its web
somewhere above. Being so still,
I became curious and reached out
to stir the gossamer strand

The spider, still unmoving, was gone
Gone to wherever spiders go
when they are done being what they are

As I thought about the way it left the world,
hanging from the single thread it had spun
I was struck by the melancholy of my thoughts
towards this eight-legged creature

Looking beyond the sadness I felt,
maybe it knew it was time to go
Maybe it simply wanted a lovely view
at the end of its time here

Perhaps a final celebration
for having not been devoured
by a world so full of brigands,
predators and vampires

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I appreciate moderate constructive criticism
Review Request (Direction): 
What did you think of my title?
What did you think of the rhythm or pattern or pacing?
How does this theme appeal to you?
How was the beginning/ending of the poem?
Last few words: 
Arachnid melancholia - who knew this was a thing??? LOL!
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

The observational quality of the poem, kept ever so simple: sitting at the table suddenly noticing a spider hanging on a thread all the way through to realizing the spider was dead (how many people would take the time to even check?!) is excellent. Also liked the way the poem moves between the spiders death and the reaction it provokes, particularly the willingness to not just look at it a negative but more of a passing of a life because life does pass, in every form it takes. Pacing is just fine. I really enjoyed it.

Catherine

Thank you CD! Glad this worked for you.

Cheers

Michael Anthony

author comment

I read this piece a few times and must have skimmed over the things you pointed out.

Michael,
Not sure why, but for a critique, (and totally subjective) I think it needs a little more showing to complement the telling.
I can't help but think this is metaphorical, but you seem to leave that choice to the reader, which is good. I think of how "tiger,tiger" does the same.

Thomas

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...so like my lost dreams...the flood

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