Spider

Spider

Jennifer Pickup 27.11.2023 

The lady in front of me  

at the dressage convention 

has a spider in her hair. 

I lean forwards to study 

the tiny, delicate thing –  

it seems to be happy there. 

Do I get her attention? 

I don’t wish to make a scene, 

disturb the demonstration. 

But is it worth a mention? 

What if she emits a scream? 

There will be a commotion, 

the horses may be frightened, 

and we might be asked to leave. 

That would be mortifying! 

All of my senses heightened, 

I nearly forget to breathe 

as the spider keeps trying 

to divert my focus from 

the horses I’ve paid to see, 

creating this dilemma. 

It’s not harming anyone. 

It’s warm and safe and happy 

in this freezing cold weather. 

The next horse captivates me, 

and I forget the spider, 

absorbed by greater beauty. 

Later, I no longer see 

my miniature hair-hider,  

but I’m glad I let it be.