My Poem of the Week: 'The Spider' by Kathleen Jamie

[narya_flame]

Late again...I will try to get back to doing this on a Monday at some point. 

Behind a cut for those who don't like our eight-legged friends.

The Spider

When I appear to you
by dark, descended
not from heaven, but the lowest
branch of the walnut tree
bearing no annunciation,
suspended like a slub
in the air's weave
and you shriek, you shriek
so prettily, I'm reminded
of the birds - don't birds also 
cultivate elaborate beauty, devour
what catches their eye?
Hence my night shift
my sulphur-and-black-striped 
jacket - poison - a lie
to cloak me while, exposed, 
I squeeze from my own gut
the one material.
          Who tore the night?
Who caused this rupture?
You, staring in horror
- had you never considered
how the world sustains?
The ants by day
clearing, clearing
the spiders mending endlessly -

Taken from Jamie's The Overhaul, published by Picador Poetry.  I really love this collection and could have picked any number of poems from it, but this one fit my mood today.

More about the author here.

Comments

[hhimring]

I love The Overhaul, too.
But this wasn't one I would have picked out, so thank you for making me consider it!

[narya_flame]

It didn't grab me on the first couple of readings, if I'm honest, but it's grown on me - and I was having Ungoliant thoughts when I realised I was overdue to post a poem, so here it is!