Shed a tear for the spider

The fly got away--

The web torn to tatters

In a terrible fray

So that tireless weaver

Stitches and mends

Its elegant pattern

Of love and revenge

And still the fly hums

And bangs all about

The small black reminder

Of a spider without;

An erstwhile victim

Reliving the thrill

Of being the hunted

And dodging the kill

The fly calls to the spider

"You tried and you missed

I'm a little bit better

Than the others you've kissed!"

In response, chides the spider

"Oh, was that you?

My victims are many

My lovers are few."

As darkness descends

The web disappears

And the brooding twilight

Fills with hunger and fear

And just like the kitten

In its saucer of milk

The wings of the fly

Twist into the silk

Gracefully dancing

To those strings being struck

The spider descends

To measure its luck

The fly, all cocooned

Looks up and begs sweetly

"I'm already ruined--

Destroy me completely!"

"Maybe I'll eat you

Perhaps I will not

I haven't decided

What I'll do since you're caught

Just rest assured

Its out of your hands

So just stick around--

Don't spoil my plans."

Thus ends the story

Pray tell who am I?

Some say the spider

Some say the fly

Did I break free of the web

To just dive back inside?

Or did I wait quiet

To safeguard my pride?

Am I the one choosing

The flesh that I feast?

Or have I been chosen

By some beautiful beast?

Did I fashion the web?

Was I caught by surprise?

Or is Love the black widow--

In beauty's disguise?