Redback
when my friend from Bhutan left
we hung about the door
I showed her the Redback
spider mother
on the garden tap
her eggs tucked under
cradled beneath the broadband
connection box
'Redbacks like window
frames
and under plastic chairs,'
I shared the local lore
she had heard of them
but never seen one
red slash
sash
splash
we found her beautiful
and my advice 'if you
are bitten here
to take that spider with you
to hospital
if you can find it.'
(having never found the one
that bit, myself)
I thought about moving the mother
but am slow and think too much,
even with many babies
coming soon and so near
next I looked
she was dead
shrivelled
the egg web still sticking
the spiderlings gone
off on the wind
gusted blustered away
making webs with other spiders
I hope
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