She hangs
Lifeless
Luminous melon-green wings
Immobile
He set his trap
Her crime flying too close
Caught in the web
Of a foe she dwarfs
Helpless against his cunning
She gave up
Her wings not strong enough
Invisible threads stole her freedom
One would not guess
The spider could win
With a weave so delicate
It belies intent
A beautiful creature
Even in death
Did she succumb too soon
Unaware of her power?
Her captor not present
To claim his prey
I cut her loose
Denying him reward
She falls to the ground
And I wonder why it is
I would presume
The insects’ genders.
©2018 Patricia A. Nugent
Journal Stories 