To the Spider

To the spider,

Tiny but incredibly fierce,

Who is willing to

Put his life on the line

To defend a tiny clump of grass

Growing just inside the edge

Of my garden:

Do you know how BIG I am?

Do you know how TINY you are?

Do you understand that there are

A million clumps of grass

Just like this one

In a million places

That are NOT in my garden?

Valiant beastie!

You are ready to take me on.

You are poised, arms spread,

In the most threatening way

You can muster.

(After all, you are barely a quarter inch

From arm to arm.)

Very well.

To reward your

Bravery;

Tenacity;

Determination;

And tremendous sense of self-worth;

Your delusions of grandeur,

And your illusion of huge-ness,

Though you are but tiny:

It is yours.

I gift you

This bit of grass

To have and to hold.

To defend from all threats,

Large or small.

You have earned it.

I will garden around you.

Go in peace,

Tiny warrior.