We stood there well past bedtime, watching that spider 

We were mesmerized in the glow of the back porch light 

He would lower himself down then climb up higher 

That barely visible thread, to him, seemed more potent than fire 

A lifeline 

Did he know he was dangling through a world of crime?

Rabbits that scavenge 

Hawks that lurk

Raccoons that aren’t afraid to get their paws in the dirt 

I didn’t mention the humans 

That spider knew what he was doin’

We watched as he threaded, spun, and climbed 

Not bothered by us or the wind chimes

His web was strong

He had eight delicate legs 

“You know, we’re not much different from him,” my husband said 

“We’re all a bunch of elements like carbon and nitrogen”

“Just dangling in the universe”

I thought about all my problems, mankind’s curse

Was the spider even aware of his?

Bills, taxes, inflation, death, people’s opinions

That spider just kept spinning

Eventually he nestled in his web

It was my time for bed

Hopefully to wake to a new beginning 

In the morning I went out, a full day’s agenda on my mind 

It was still dark 

It felt like something pierced my heart 

My face was covered in tinsel 

I sweated a little 

My neck itched 

Before I’d even made it through the fence 

I looked up 

There it was 

That poor spider’s web, wrapped around my head 

That black spider appeared on his eight legs and said, “Aren’t you glad to be in the elements?”