Smart octapedal locomoter,
Despised by girls - but so adored by boys.
Instant death to every flying insect,
Silently - you never make a noise!
Spinning graceful complex webs, an orb
A funnell or a ladder or a sheet
Elastic just like nylon - also twice as strong
Webs of intrigue and of mystery and deceit!
All British spiders have such lovely names,
Spelling out their nature and their place,
There's garden spiders, grass and stripy zebras
And mothercare and nursery and lace!
Why have you got so bad a reputation?
It's that Miss Muffett whom I blame it on!
You just wanted to share - in her bowl of curd,
One look - and promptly she was gone!
All the stories of Miss Muffet have a picture,
Of a spider that gives every child a fright,
Eight ginormous legs and eight black evil eyes
Serated teeth just ready for a bite!
In my life I've met so many spiders,
In farm and field - at home and overseas,
Lovely helpful creatures - good at pest control,
Don't hate them 'cos they only want to please!
The moral of this tale is PREJUDICE IS BAD!
Whether its concern is man or beast.
The spider in its web - is nature at her height,
Who deserves our admiration at the least!
John Knight
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/in-praise-of-spiders/
