The Spider and The Butterfly

There is a tale spun from a lesson old

About a naïve butterfly and spider bold

One fine, cool, and clear morning of Spring

A ravenous spider began to weave a silky web cajoling

All who were foolish or distracted enough

Would find themselves by life itself rebuffed.

And so this cunning arachnid sat waiting and still waiting

So as to see what lovely feast his web would soon be baiting.

Not more than few seconds had passed than he saw with such delight

A butterfly, with wings black and blue, in continuous graceful flight.

He grinned a toothy grin, his mouth with venom flooded.

This creature was sure to satiate his appetite cruel and cold-blooded.

The butterfly, pure-minded and good, with wings as light as bird’s feathers

Having tired of the former day’s strong wind sought shelter from this weather.

On and on she searched and sought for protection against being blown away,

Until she spotted with great relief a silver-strung net in lazy sway.

She fluttered on over with greatest of ease and nestled within the center, relaxing her wings

Not even knowing, no not even suspecting that what loomed above her was an ominous thing.

The menacing insect chuckled darkly and slowly began to descend towards this dainty being.

To devour something so young and so delicate, so frail and so good was all too highly pleasing.

Unaware of the danger near, that butterfly continued on resting with falsely given security

As the spider drew closer and closer still, determined to carry his scheme out thoroughly.

With a quick agile pounce and an anesthetic bite, the spider quickly wound and wound

A surprised butterfly who was stunned to find herself entrapped where she was sure she would be safe and sound.

Sending futile commands and useless pleadings to the wings that led her to her doom,

She was soon taken captive as the robust silvery threads held her tightly in this dreadful loom.

What happened next well one can guess what became of Madame butterfly…

For in that moment, shining and brief, his appetite the spider did satisfy.

What was the lesson you ask, what good can come of this you say?

Well that, my dear friend, I can put it in this simple yet complex way.

The moral of this story was not to tell a sad tale but to help you recognize

How some desires of life can turn out to be nothing more than horrible, vicious lies

That entwine and entwine and will entwine around you still

Until you too are left helpless and hollow like a voided shell.

And so it is wise that you take my advice and heed the words of Kierkegaard

Which explain so perfectly why one in this world should always, always keep guard.

“…the specific character of despair is precisely this” he says,

“it is unaware of being despair” so he says and so it is.