The Spider Poem Roundup - with a crafty surprise -

It's been fun revisiting  some of the poems of my youth, and whoever would have thought it would prove to be as interesting as - well a spider spinning a web.  As usual the links are alphabetical - and I've also added a link to a special piece of jewellery - a piece of gorgeous poetic fantasy from an amazing designer - with a link to a blog includes step by step instructions about how to make one for yourself -

Seriously, I know I've said this before, but do all my favourite authors write spider poems?

So with no further ado here they are...


Attercop! (Flies and Spiders) by J.R.R Tolkien
"...Here am I, naughty little fly..."  A total family fav from when the kids were first exploring fantasy.

Bruce and the Spider by Bernard Barton
A spiders act of courage spurs on "Robert the Bruce" or so this poem claims. 

Crystal Web Collar Necklace Copyright 2008, Margot Potter

Crystal Web Collar Necklace 
The spider weaving the fairy necklace is like a spider poem come to life...

Invitation to the Party by A.J. Ponder
"I have nothing to bring... "


A Noiseless patient spider by Walt Whitman

The Redback on the Toilet Seat by Slim Newton
An old fav amongst the young 'uns - and there are a few other poems in amongst this little collection of spider poems - at spiderzrule.com/spider5.htm

The Spider by Emily Dickenson
A gnome pun? really? 

Spider by A.J. Ponder
"Oviously..." ;)

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt
"Come into my parlour said the Spider to the fly..."

A Spider Sewed at Night by Emily Dickenson
I get this feeling Emily rather liked spiders...


The Spider Sewed a Silver Ball by Emily Dickenson
I think what I meant was I get this feeling Emily really...really liked spiders...

The Spider’s Web ( A Natural History) by E.B. White (Of Charlotte's Web fame)
meh - until the last line and then you are reading it over and over again....

Upon a Spider Catching a Fly by Edward Taylor (1642-1729)
There's no escaping the religous overtones of this old poem, but there's no escaping the keen observation and the fun use of language either, even if, or especially because it is quite old fashioned.

And finally in honour of the arachnophobes...

Little Miss Muffet sat on a tuffet
Eating her curds and whey
Along came a spider
And sat down beside her...
And frightened miss Muffet away.

And so with that, no more spider poems - at least not for a long while - I promise...

cheers,
A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.

P.S. If anyone finds or remembers any more spider poems they'd like me to include, comment below and I'll add them to the list above!

The Spider and the Fly by Mary Howitt

    "Will you walk into my parlor?" said the Spider to the Fly,
    "'Tis the prettiest little parlor that ever you did spy;
    The way into my parlor is up a winding stair,
    And I have many curious things to show you when you are there."
    "Oh no, no," said the Fly, "to ask me is in vain;
    For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

    "I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high;
    Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the Spider to the Fly.
    "There are pretty curtains drawn around, the sheets are fine and thin;
    And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"
    "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "for I've often heard it said
    They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

    Said the cunning Spider to the Fly, "Dear friend, what can I do
    To prove that warm affection I've always felt for you?
    I have within my pantry, good store of all that's nice;
    I'm sure you're very welcome - will you please take a slice?"
    "Oh no, no," said the little Fly, "kind sir, that cannot be,
    I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see!"

    "Sweet creature," said the Spider, "you're witty and you're wise;
    How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!
    I have a little looking-glass upon my parlor shelf;
    If you step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."
    "I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say;
    And bidding good morning now, I'll call another day."

    The Spider turned him round about, and went into his den,
    For well he knew the silly Fly would soon come back again;
    So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly,
    And set his table ready to dine upon the Fly.
    then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,
    "Come hither, hither, pretty Fly, with the pearl and silver wing;
    Your robes are green and purple, there's a crest upon your head;
    Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are as dull as lead."

    Alas, alas! how very soon this silly little Fly,
    Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by;
    With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, -
    Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, and green and purple hue;
    Thinking only of her crested head - poor foolish thing! At last,
    Up jumped the cunning Spider, and fiercely held her fast.
    He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den
    Within his little parlor - but she ne'er came out again!

    And now, dear little children, who may this story read,
    To idle, silly, flattering words, I pray you ne'er heed;
    Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye,
    And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.


In my head this poem is less, "dear reader," and more dangerous.  A poem from childhood that although it may not quite match up in adulthood - still contains a something, not the "lesson" of beware flatterers, but the parallel truth about the nature of good and evil.  After all the dear spider is only trying to eat...


Have fun, enjoy the week, and fair warning,  I'll be continuing my spidery theme next week,
cheers. (please note the spider roundup portal is here at http://anafflictionofpoetry.blogspot.co.nz/2013/06/tuesday-poem-spider-poem-roundup-with.html)

cheers,
A.J.

A.J. Ponder's books are available through Rona Gallery, Amazon, Paper Plus and good Wellington bookstores.