Notes About The Poem

spider

Anapest Intrudes

In the dark of the night, on an All Hallows' Eve,
as I lay down my head and got snugged in the bed,
'twas a shadow that bloomed, caused all senses to leave,
as a huge hairy spider crawled, eyes gleaming red!

Out in front, a large sack that she shuffled along,
so I watched as she loped with that load full of gore,
like the beat from a dirge or a horrid old song,
da-duh-DUM, da-duh-DUM, as she moved 'cross the floor.

Shaking hard, to the edge of the bed, silent crept;
There she was, hairy legs, abdomen bulging fat.
Sweaty palms, frazzled nerves, in the darkness I lept,
closed my eyes, held my breath, threw my slipper - Kersplat!

and as she scuttled off, protecting precious eggs,
I wondered how she'd sound with two more dangling legs.

---------------

for the All Hallows' Evening Poetry Contest
sponsored by Craig Cornish
written on 10/19/22
using anapestic tetrameter for the first 12 lines
and iambic hexameter for the last 2 for effect
(howmanysyllables.com incorrectly reports line 3 as 11 syllables due to the ')
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Alex Avatar
November 16, 2022 at 7:31 PM
A very symbolic writing on this theme with Anapest intrusion. Congratulations!
Ashley Avatar
November 16, 2022 at 12:27 PM
Dear Jeff, the dark imagery of your spidery poem gave me a chill. Glad to hear her scuttling off..! Wonderfully expressive! Congratulations for your excellent win in Craig's contest. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan
Kyser Avatar
November 16, 2022 at 2:02 PM
Thanks very much, Susan, for the read and the comments!
Cornish Avatar
November 16, 2022 at 6:55 AM
Jeff, thank you for contributing your always clever wit and skill to this contest and congrats for finishing among the best - not surprised!
Kyser Avatar
November 16, 2022 at 7:11 AM
Thanks so much for holding the contest and for encouraging us to try a most interesting variation on the sonnet!
Seeker Avatar
October 19, 2022 at 11:01 PM
Oh wow! Brilliantly done, Jeff!
Kyser Avatar
October 20, 2022 at 6:20 AM
I can't say I've ever tried to utilize the actual meter of the phrases to add effect to a poem (other than improving basic readability). Not sure this accomplishes that, but it is an intriguing idea. Something you have played with before? Thanks for the comment and read!
Hankins Avatar
October 19, 2022 at 1:00 PM
Very nicely done, Jeff. I find these easier to handle if I start thinking in prepositional phrases. BOL in the contest.
Kyser Avatar
October 19, 2022 at 1:12 PM
I was thinking you could do utilizing dactyls, with a shifted start. I feel like there are more opportunities there, so, might have to muck around with it.
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace