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Cactus Dancer

Cactus Dancer Graceful spider dances on sharp cactus spikes Spinnerets leave webs of dainty filigree Each web a masterpiece of sublime delights Silk filaments wear dews as the moonlight flees Eight tiny feet twirl over the spiny heights, On prickly thorns leaves a magic feathery, Mysterious craftsman spins the intricate Cobweb sculptures spun in orbs magnificent 9-8-22 Contest: Ottava Rima Sponsor: L Milton Hanks Rhymes checked with www.rhyme zone

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Jim Slaughter

Date: 9/9/2022 9:58:00 AM

I don't think we had spiny cacti in West Texas where I grew up, but I would love to have witnessed such a performance as you have so beautifully described, Sam. BOL in the contest.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/9/2022 10:33:00 AM

Thank you so much Jim for your message. I am so glad that you enjoyed this dance of the cactus and spiders. Was in the hill country of Texas recently. While it looked very much like the hills of California there we cactus scattered among the oaks! Whimsical sight. Many thanks! Sending you blessings!

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 9/8/2022 10:42:00 PM

I lived in Arizona for many years, and this brings back memories of the spiny cactus and the delicate dress of webs it wore, love the description of 'prickly thorns leaves a magic feathery' - quite true! Hope this is a winner :)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/9/2022 10:29:00 AM

Hi Michelle! So appreciate your lovely message. You always inspire and motivate me! The cactus in the southwest are truly amazing and very memorable! We were in Scottsdale awhile back after several rainstorms. The desert was breathtaking. I will always remember it. Hope you are staying cool. Looks like you too have had a week of "hot!" Blessings my friend!

Susan Woodrow

Date: 9/8/2022 8:59:00 PM

Such a beautiful write that could cure my shriek reflex every time i see a spider! Then there are the cacti that spin their own webs it seems… I couldn’t believe it the first time i saw them.. this write is a definite winner! How’s the heat where you are? We are scorching in Sacramento :)

Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/9/2022 10:23:00 AM

Hi Susan! Thank you so much for your lovely message. Seems we've had an army of spiders in the garden this year creating intricate webs especially on the cactus! Seemed like a fun basis for a poem. It has sizzled here the Bay Area for the last week. I can't imagine the heat in Sacramento. Hope your trip to Shasta was cooler and refreshing! Take care. Stay cool. Looks like temperatures are headed back down. Blessings!

Jeff Kyser

Date: 9/8/2022 1:29:00 PM

Nice, Sam. This hendecasyllabic feature has me thinking Seussian rhymes, lol.

Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/8/2022 1:56:00 PM

Hi Jeff! Thank you so much for your spin around the dancefloor with my webmaster spider! You do me a great honor with your comparison to the incomparable Dr. Seuss! Was out in the garden earlier this week breaking up the work of our garden spiders especially on the cacti! That inspired this poem for Milt's contest. Working with eleven syllables and rhyme was something new - a welcome challenge! Hope you are well. Blessings!