The Saga of a Spider’s Web

Photo by Zbigniew Kortas

Some friends walked by our garden gate and stopped to exclaim,

“Come look at this spider’s web!” Their tone had no disdain.

A fascinating spectacle, of that, there was no doubt.

The spider had made a great big edge and began to fill it out.

That outer edge seemed sturdy and tough with a different kind of silk.

It was then being filled with a silk of a different ilk.

The inner filaments were thinner and as fine as fine could be,

With an intricate weaving pattern that I could barely see.

But up closer I could tell that it was very sturdy and strong,

Each row was layered and attached to the last, so that nothing could go wrong.

The silk was made of connected protein chains that helped give it its strength,

Also, flexibility, as well as a weave of any length.

A web is easy to make with Spider’s spinnerets and eight legs,

And can build a house with a kitchen for prey and a place to lay their eggs.

Each spider has its own pattern for their arch-itec-ture,

And each will look different, that you can be sure.

Some may like small spaces at which to build their lair.

While others need much larger places to trap those unaware.

Sticky silk is woven in the center to attract its prey,

To immobilize it with certainty that it will not get away.

Some bite the prey in which to kill, while others use their silk,

To wrap them up so they cannot move, making a supper of bugs and milk.

Photo by Gary Fultz

The next time you come across a web that is then being woven,

Stop and take a look at the pattern that the spider has chosen,

Remember it and compare it with other webs you’ll see,

To see if there are differences, which there will likely be.

Be aware that some webs are strong enough to hold you in check,

If you happen to walk into one while on a great trek.

In forests, near bushes and through garden gates

Be diligent and watchful for spider’s webs’ fates.