ABSOLUTE FAITH

[Maureen K Clifford]

ABSOLUTE FAITH



Yesterday I saw a spider’s web attached to my clothesline
with a filament twenty feet long stretched to a neighbours pine
tree right across the yard ,over the other side of my fence.
A miracle of engineering – though hardly a strong defence.

The arachnid that had made this fine, light, strong and silvered thread
was far smaller than my fingernail – she rested in her bed
of lacy filigree and curlicues, appearing quite contented
surrounded by dew drop diamonds – feasting on a moth fermented.

To crawl this twenty foot of silken thread would be a task
that a man, though full of courage , would hesitate to ask
himself to do – though some have rope walked o'er Niagara’s falls
all alone – daredevils every one – their daring us enthralls.

And yet this little spider shuttled back and forth each day
oblivious to danger or to falls along the way.
Supremely confident her silken rope would break her fall
were it to part company with clothesline, pine and wall.

And so it came to pass and seems that this girl knew her stuff.
The wind rose, started blowing hard, it gave a mighty puff
and the silken thread and clothesline quickly parted company
as the Hills Hoist whirled off merrily – flew round and round in glee.

But that filament of silk just drifted in the errant breeze
with my spider mate just clinging on – nonchalant as you please.
The line wafted slowly downwards – came to rest upon the wall
Mrs Spider disembarked – she was not perturbed at all.

Maureen Clifford © 04/11