Poem: Sonnet No. 8

The Spider

I have a spider my ex-wife called me
to kill. He'd fallen into her shower
and couldn't climb out of the tub. To see
him there, at a point in his life lower,
obviously, than any he'd ever known
before -- a point in his life just like mine,
I think, where she could have killed him and shown
some kindness, his quick death being a sign
of her understanding -- just warmed my heart.
I caught him up in some tissue and brought
him home. He has crickets now -- and my art.
I'm sure he can't know he's even been caught.
Spiders are dull -- about as dumb as bricks;
I just keep him 'cause he doesn't get ticks.

~Mike Duron (composed December 26th, 2001)