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Arachnid Encounter

I found a bag outside the door My mind, alert like a sly fox, Advised me not to rush because It could contain Pandora’s box! My fingers itched to pull the string So that the knot I could untie With expectations quite far-fetched To find within pie in the sky! My wife came out, beheld the bag And curiosity galore She was unable to resist! Had not a clue what was in store. She dragged the bag inside the house In case the neighbours stopped to stare And pulled it open in a flash The sight was one that raised her hair! A host of spiders jumped in haste On trembling hands and frenzied face Her high-pitched screams heard far and wide Resounded into outer space. Then, gosh, she stopped and thankfully She swooned. I caught her just in time. The cops turned up; I had a job To prove that there had been no crime. By then the spiders had escaped The bag lay limply on the ground. The neighbours’ doors and windows closed And silence reigned; how sweet the sound! My wife came to; said not a word Not ‘cos of shame or out of choice The tough ordeal had been too much In fact (God bless) she lost her voice! ----------------------------------------- This poem has been published in a PoetrySoup Anthology: “Reflections on the Important Things” Nov 2023 (print)

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Sam Scott

Date: 4/5/2024 11:36:00 PM

I love spiders, Paul, genuinely.. but no surprises. This is a terrifying scene for many.. yet strangely humorous; so, a well written saga.. and salient warning to us all. Loved it. Sam.

Paul Callus
Date: 4/11/2024 5:39:00 AM

Thank you for reading and liking, Sam. A touch of humour does not go amiss in this turbulent world of ours! ~ Regards // paul

Carole Duet

Date: 11/21/2023 10:42:00 PM

hAHAHA....What a shock! I don't know if this is true or not but just the thought of a bunch of spiders would make me scream too. Great little poem...very entertaining.

Paul Callus
Date: 11/23/2023 4:23:00 AM

Thank you for reading and getting a laugh out of it, Carole. Definitely fictitious, but I know of many people who would scream and run away at the mere sight of one spider, let alone a bagful :) Regards // paul

Judy Ball

Date: 8/5/2023 3:29:00 AM

lol This is quit the story and hopefully not a true story. Imagine someone leaving a bag of spiders on your doorstep. Find out who the knave was and give him one too. A fun read my friend. God Bless, JB

Paul Callus
Date: 9/18/2023 4:24:00 AM

I'm reading your comments with a grin, Judy :) Thank you for a most pleasant visit. ~ Regards & blessings // paul

Supraja Kannan

Date: 7/10/2023 7:30:00 AM

Ha!!! Lovely story and a funny ending!!! Thoroughly enjoyed reading it ... BTW, I like spiders..

Paul Callus
Date: 7/10/2023 8:52:00 AM

Thank you reading and enjoying, Supraja. I have nothing against spiders, so much so I gave them the chance to escape and go on to enjoy life :) Regards // paul

Sara Kendrick

Date: 7/10/2023 5:08:00 AM

The excitement and surprise in this one caught the reader's attention and held it all the way through the poem. Thank you for sharing this one and for dropping by my page. Sara

Paul Callus
Date: 7/10/2023 5:35:00 AM

Glad you enjoyed it Sara. As always it's a pleasure to have you stopping by. Regards // paul

Tania Kitchin

Date: 7/10/2023 3:48:00 AM

Paul, I enjoyed your poem, entertaining and with a funny ending, well penned.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/10/2023 8:39:00 AM

Thank you, Tania. Glad you acknowledge the funny side of this poem. It was not meant to highlight a 'cruel joke' as previously stated. ~ Regards // paul

The Situation

Date: 7/8/2023 4:01:00 PM

I look at this as more as a sudgestion. What a cruel Joke to write about.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/9/2023 2:14:00 AM

Hi! I forgot to declare that no humans or other creatures were harmed in the writing of this fun poem. :) Enjoy your weekend with a smile // paul

Bill Baker

Date: 7/8/2023 2:45:00 PM

Very engaging poetry, Paul. A trying situation, a bit of suspense and a little humor to close. Well written, my friend. Have a pleasant weekend! Bill

Paul Callus
Date: 7/9/2023 1:36:00 AM

This was a prompt for a Soup contest, but I missed posting it in time. It's based on humour and a good dose of poetic license. ~ Regards // paul

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/7/2023 4:32:00 PM

Paul, your writing has been an absolute delight to peruse. With a remarkable blend of creativity and ingenuity, your work stands as a testament to your brilliance. I must express my deep admiration for your concluding line, which resonated with me on a profound level.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/8/2023 3:10:00 AM

Thank you for the generous comments, my friend. We all strive to put on offer our best wares wrapped in a style of our own. This applies to you as well! ~ Have a nice and productive weekend // paul

Brian Sambourne

Date: 7/3/2023 7:27:00 AM

Terrific closing line to your engaging narrative. A truly fun read, Paul. Congratulations! Brian

Paul Callus
Date: 7/4/2023 12:51:00 AM

Thank you for the complimentary comments, Brian. Best regards // paul

Robert Lindley

Date: 7/1/2023 6:24:00 AM

My friend, a very good one. She got a great fright. I myself cannot stand the eight legged freaks. I kill every spider I see. Fine verses my good friend.

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2023 9:05:00 AM

Thank you, Robert. None of the three ladies in my household can stand spiders, especially the hairy legged ones! I'm often being called to deal with such situations :) Best regards, my friend // paul

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 6/30/2023 5:54:00 AM

The wife is silenced at last by a husband who perhaps planned this all along or in ignorance got his way. Very funny!

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2023 12:32:00 AM

Ah! So many questions remain unanswered here, Kim :) But for sure I enjoyed writing this :) Thank you for visiting; have a nice weekend // paul

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 6/30/2023 4:14:00 AM

Amazing writing, just adore this one. So creative and simply brilliant. Love it and sure it will win. God bless you with love, Gina

Paul Callus
Date: 7/1/2023 12:57:00 AM

Thank you, Gina; your complimentary remarks are truly appreciated. Thank you also for the trust you had in it :) I use contests mostly for inspiration. Regards & blessings // paul

Regina Mcintosh
Date: 6/30/2023 4:15:00 AM

Oh, so sorry you couldn't enter! It's so good.

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 6/30/2023 1:37:00 AM

- Paul, this was both fun and exciting to read - I heard her scream as if she was standing outside my door :) - The ending came as a surprise ... this is the best poem for this contest ... I congratulate you in advance . .. wooow - hugs

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2023 2:27:00 AM

Thank you so much, Anne-Lise :) I am so pleased you enjoyed it (I had fun writing it...hope my wife will give me a reprieve). Have a nice day and a lovely weekend. Hugs // paul

Anne-Lise Andresen
Date: 6/30/2023 1:38:00 AM

Oh no !!! ...did you miss the boat ...too bad

Paul Callus

Date: 6/30/2023 1:27:00 AM

LOL...I missed the boat!1 worked all morning on this fun poem and by the time I posted it found that the Spider contest had closed! ~ PS...need I point out that this is fiction! :)

Jan Allison
Date: 6/30/2023 1:37:00 AM

Oh Paul its so frustrating when you miss the contest deadline, it happened to me with Constance's E contest. this is my effort for the spider contest, hope it makes you smile.https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/once_bitten_-__no_alibi_1551923

Jan Allison

Date: 6/30/2023 1:25:00 AM

Got to say I had a giggle at the image of you and poor Sheila opening this bag and fainting at the contents. such vivid imagery Paul. good luck in the contest:-) hugs jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2023 2:22:00 AM

Hi Jan, back again :) Your spider entry is very entertaining and I expect you to make the final easily. ~ Yes, missing the contest can be frustrating, but it's not the 1st time; getting immune to it :) Hugs // paul

Jan Allison
Date: 6/30/2023 1:38:00 AM

such a shame you missed the deadline, this would be a massive winner to me! hugs jan xx

Paul Callus
Date: 6/30/2023 1:30:00 AM

Glad you had a good laugh, Jan! Pls read my comment above; there was one entry waiting to be filled, but someone else beat me to it:) Thank you for stopping by...hugs // paul