Setting It High (1985)
There's a web spun
on the window,
border to border
by a shivering spider,
a one woman crew.
This close to frost and
not yet September,
she's set her site high
above the crystal dew.
She's set her site high
In the shaft of sunlight.
Splayed herself to dry
against the window pane.
Can almost hear her sigh
as she soaks in the sun
Like me,
when a check comes,
"Saved once again!"
Self-employment is only
for the daring.
Independent vendors
take many lumps.
This close to folding and
not yet September.
What shall we do when
the fourth quarter comes?
Can the spider get a loan?
Mosey to a warmer home?
Can I bank on spinning yarns,
Spare us further cold alarms?
Shall we freeze within a poem
Have it etched on our tombstone,
"Two widows took a turn for the verse?"
Northern spider,
High and mighty writer.
Who knows who went first?
Cottage, 1985