A Sidmouth Spider © 08 Beryl Dyson

I saw a spider by the sea
It was as busy as could be,
Spinning, weaving gossamer thread,
Frantically mending a broken web.

To weave a web on a balustrade
Was the daftest choice it could have made
But underneath the topmost rail
The fine web hangs, perfect, but frail.

Blue sea, red sand, a holiday scene
Made people stop to look and lean.
Unknown to most, they touch the web
And broke the hard-worked, delicate thread.

I’d never seen a spider angry,
Shake with rage, vibrate so madly;
But this it did, a spectacular sight,
Then began to put things right.

I left the spider by the sea
Still working hard, mad as could be,
Left it to a time of bliss
Shrouded in the cold sea mist.