one year, it was a huge barn spider
above the back deck door
This year’s spider
built her web
between the clay pot of coleus
and the shady corner
of the porch railing
housekeeping in summer
is mostly sweeping cobwebs
from chairs, tables, porch railings
to keep away the whisper of webs
and the skittery feel of it on skin
but always, there’s one spider I see
whose hard work, though
bloodthirsty
reminds me of Charlotte despite myself
This year’s web is decorated with dropped
orange petals from the hanging begonia
Breeze and petals waft through her work
beside me as I write her poem
Puff Of Smoke Poems 