The giant spider
| The giant spider whisked down its
slender filament, grabbed its prey, then worked itself up, slowly, laboriously. Eyes from above and below pierce the darkness; squeals of protest reverberating in the cavernous, breaths of taxed effort repetitious, thumps a dozen hearts in unison. Monstrosity, gross as a grown man, four arms, four legs, clings to its prize, returns to its lair to fling open its grip, deposits returns again and again, adds to its store for the foreboding winter ahead. We entered the darkness Pierced only by filtered rays Eyes slowly accommodating Dust reflected in the rays; miniature earths reflecting like the Milky Way. Cold, the day being overcast ceaseless wind chapped at our faces. The wagon in place, the horses led out Climbing up, up The old man followed, veteran of the grapple the fork the loft He limped, his North Seaman's cap hiding corroded features Eyes slowly accommodating, Vacuous. Reaching over the abyss Pull it in, open jaws, dump the prize, Pull it in, open jaws, dump the prize, Over and over again, spreading to the corners Adds to its store for the foreboding winter ahead Emptied, the wagon hitched, returning Cursed winds Cruelly flinging ice, stinging Saturating bone, marrow, mind. A century passed as then as now The giant spider waiting Motionless Sated. |
© February, 2003