the morning’s spider web tickled my shoulder
with the instant startle of its stickiness
I walked under the canopy of shade
my arms immediately fanned
in an effort to avoid confrontation
of spindling legs in my hair
or destruction of its precious lair
 
cautiously I ducked, grace and delicacy
emulated knowing the encounter
need not be a dramatic throated squeal
nor a nasty poisonous bite
bending down I moved the garden hose
to the grateful hydrangea  
and watched its nurturing suckle
 
the feeling lingered and I kept
brushing my shoulder as if wisps
remained to the pleasure/pain
of the intricate web’s weaving
tickling the back of my neck
as a gentle awareness
and fearful reminder 
 
of inter connectedness

© Debby Weinberger
 
 audio