The Spider and The Fly

Nick Embrey writes,

I’ve already posted once today, and I know some of you have already seen this, but I’m extremely curious about what you think, so here you have it.

The Spider:

So whether you agree or disagree,
There is one thing,
One thing you must see:
That I do not mean to harm you in any way.
Listen to me.
Listen to what I say.
I do not want to harm you in any way;
Your pain is merely a byproduct of the equation,
And if I could have it another way,
I would.

Do not hate me for it.

The Fly:

I do agree,
And I find your case compelling.
I see that any appeal on my part
To sense or rationality,
Love or pity,
Would be dishonest art,
And far more reprehensible than your desire
To eat me (which is quite natural).
Therefore,
I will accept my place in the grand equation,
And struggle as much as is natural
And no more.

I tire. Kill me.

Posted at 5:58 pm EST on the 14th of February 2008 by N. E. Embrey.

Under Poetry

There are 3 replies.
 
  1. John R. Ahern says on February 15th, 2008 at 3:24 am

    Interesting how the incessant repetition in the Spider gives this image of outbursts of struggle from the fly so that the spider has to calm him and repeat himself.

    I can’t really imagine that this is what’s behind a natural struggle between two organisms. I see applications to Nietzsche, maybe. But *I* can only see it as metaphorical…. Whereas you, on the other hand, may have wanted ramifications as far as Darwin? :P

  2. Cosmo says on February 17th, 2008 at 5:51 pm

    Well, I haven’t actually read Nietzsche (I know, startling), but you’re right about it being metaphorical. What reminds you of Nietzsche?

  3. John R. Ahern says on February 11th, 2009 at 1:58 am

    This is a really cool poem. You should send it to somebody.