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Thursday, 17 October 2019

Happy Poetry Friday, everyone.

This week, I have an original poem inspired by one of my new neighbors.

This spider decided it was Guardian of the Mailbox. I found it there, sometimes on the handle, sometimes inside the box itself, for a few days in a row.

I wondered, what would a spider be waiting for in the mail. The answer is in the poem…

 

 

Spectocular
By Laura Shovan

Neville Spider is my friend.
He’s always got a leg to lend
for weaving scarves
and tiny hats.
They look quite jaunty
on my cats.

But lately Neville’s knits won’t knot.
His tangled webs are good for naught.
His dots won’t polka.
He moans, dismayed.
“I should have tried
a simple braid.”

I advised him, best I could.
“My eight-eyed pal, perhaps you should
consider glasses,
Arachnospecs,
for when your webwork
is complex.”

Can’t you just imagine the illustration?!

This week’s Poetry Friday party is at Jama Rattigan’s blog. There are sure to be some delicious dishes at Jama’s Alphabet Soup. See you there for the link-up.

 

23 responses to “Poetry Friday: Neville Spider”

  1. Spideriffic poem Laura, especially “his knits won’t knot” and his “Arachnospecs!” You’ve sold me on your eight-eyed new neighbor, and yes an illustration would be fun. Glad you’re enjoying your new environment, thanks!

  2. Laura, I saw this photo in one of your accounts and am delighted with your poem. Your “Arachnospecs” item sounds so cute for a spider. So is Michelle K. going to create an illustration? That would be fun.

  3. I would love to see that illustration!
    Your poem has me almost thinking fondly of spiders. Almost.

  4. Linda Mitchell says:

    Oh, my goodness — what a fun poem. I love the layers of references…polka, weaving, knitting. I want to write like this. And, it just seems that this poem came from a place of “happy.” I love it!

  5. So great, Laura! Your playful poem brings me back to our carefree limerick days. 🙂 I’m so glad you’re enjoying all your new critter neighbors.

  6. Oh, that is one fascinating creature! I love the creative approach you’ve taken to your leggy neighbor.

  7. jama says:

    LOVE your poem, Laura!! Wonderful, whimsical, fun word play. I’ll echo the others’ love for “knits won’t knot” and “archnospecs.” 🙂 We have lots of Nevilles around here but probably none as talented as yours.

  8. Tabatha says:

    I would just let people know they could contact me by telegram and let Neville have the mailbox…
    His “dots won’t polka”! So clever, Laura 🙂

  9. Ha! A knitting near-sighted spider–spectocular fun!

  10. Tim Kulp says:

    I really enjoyed your poem. It made me smile as I imagined the conversation between you and your spider friend. Nice work on building a relationship with the spider and the reader!

  11. Mary Lee says:

    What fun word play in this poem! “His dots won’t polka” and “arachnospecs” are my favorites!

  12. Linda says:

    I am not a fan of spiders., but I am a fan of your poem. Lots of great word play, I especially love “arachnospecs.”

  13. So fun to read outlaid, your rhythm perfect! As I am a knitter, it’s fun to think of a spider knitting. With all those legs no wonder he gets in tangled up. He should try two needles.

  14. So fun to read out loud, your rhythm perfect! As I am a knitter and it’s fun to think of a spider knitting. With eight legs no wonder he gets in tangled up.

  15. Your poem makes me want to make friends with a spider. It’s lovely, and yes, those illustrations would be adorable!

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Laura Shovan

Laura Shovan is the author of the award-winning middle grade novel, The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary. Her second book, Takedown, is a Junior Library Guild and PJ Our Way selection. Look for A Place at the Table, co-written with Saadia Faruqi, in 2020. Laura is a poet-in-the-schools Maryland.

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