Knights in Disguise, Sonnet Options

[Larry]

Knights in Disguise

More delicate than silk the spider weaves
an engineering masterpiece designed
to snare and hold. Its fragile web deceives
small prey to leave them helpless and confined

in silver threads. Cocoons for later meals
contain the bodies of those paralyzed
until the spider’s babes their life-blood steals.
I’ve never understood why they’re despised

or why some hate this lowly garden friend
that keeps the flowers beautiful each year.
Sweet fruit and vegetables may all depend
upon protection from those bugs we fear.

Like Buddhist monks, respectful but contrite
when harm befalls this creature, nature’s knight.

[Psyche]

Hello Larry,
Dropped in today to post a challenge. Then I came upon this meaningful and amazing sonnet. So well expressed. I even like the title, spiders are indeed knights in disguise.
So many of us dislike them... including myself.

Still, as a child, I used to observe spider webs and remember perfectly well the bugs caught in them. Some of the bugs were still alive, perhaps all. That would keep them fresh, I suppose.

Indeed, spiders (as well as the bugs) are a link in the chain of life, which we so unspeakably destroy with pesticides, fertilizers, etc. And we make this life chain go off kindle, by carelessly reducing some insects, or phasing out others altogether.

Don't know which stanza I like the most. The whole piece is stunning. I like the Buddhist monks in your conclusion.

This deserves another read. Will return.
Syl

[Eisa]

H Larry,

This is indeed a stunning sonnet from beginning to end. I love the title and also the way you have brought in the Buddhist monks in your conclusion. A very original sonnet. I can't find anything to 'nit'

Eira

[Larry]

Hi Syl,

Glad you stopped in to read my next to newest sonnet on your way to post the "Photoshop" challenge. Therein is my newest sonnet "Faces".

I know what you mean by your fear of spiders but they are a very necessary part in the chain of insect life. Without them, we would literally and physically be over-run by vast numbers of pests. I got the poem from our numerous black and yellow garden spiders making webs in the yard and the trap-door spiders in the fields in front of the house. Recently, we have been seeing a few of the orb weaver crab spiders (strange looking beasties), they do construct an intricate web and are very fastidious about maintaining them. I watched one snip parts of the web to get a large leaf to fall from the middle of its web and then start reconstructing the missing parts. It would have made a nice post on the web but I only possess a "dumb" phone; not a smart one.

Thanks for the visit and your (always) kind words about my posts.

Larry

[Larry]

Hi Snow,

Thank you for popping in for a read. Glad you enjoyed my sonnet and am very happy that both you and Sylvia thought the Buddhist monk reference was appropriate. They do revere all life and go out of their way to avoid bringing any harm to God's creatures. I am, for the most part, of the same mind with the exception of flies and mosquitoes due to the diseases they both carry.

Again, thank you and I'm glad you enjoyed "Knights...".

Larry

[Psyche]

Hi Larry,
Here I am again, as promised. I've read your sonnet about three times and find nothing to crit, as usual.
I absolutely agree with you about preserving all insects and allowing them to achieve their own balance in the vital chain of life. Which is precisely what we're not doing... And it goes way back to when the book Silent Spring was published. Indeed, at that time only DDT was used.
Nowadays very powerful pesticides and dangerous fertilizers are everywhere. Even bees are in danger, some believe it's because they're overworked and stressed out, as beekeepers are interested in the money. But also due to the pesticides.
Europe keeps strict control on Monsanto, Novartis, etc., but the USA does not and unfortunately South America follows that example.
What an interesting observation you made of the orb weaver crab spider. I don't believe I've ever seen one, but who knows? I think it's marvelous how these creatures weave their webs, and some with such precision.
The picture you couldn't take would have made a good subject for a challenge! I do have a smartphone, but usually forget to take any pictures. And I find I'm "all thumbs" when I want to use the keyboard to send messages, so I don't really deserve it.
Back to your poem. Fancy getting inspired by spiders to write a sonnet! And everything you express is true. It seems that only the title is metaphorical, every stanza is woven with the beautiful expertise of the spiders themselves.

I'm off to read Faces, but probably won't comment tonight, it's bedtime.
Syl

Hi Syl,

Glad you stopped in to read my next to newest sonnet on your way to post the "Photoshop" challenge. Therein is my newest sonnet "Faces".

I know what you mean by your fear of spiders but they are a very necessary part in the chain of insect life. Without them, we would literally and physically be over-run by vast numbers of pests. I got the poem from our numerous black and yellow garden spiders making webs in the yard and the trap-door spiders in the fields in front of the house. Recently, we have been seeing a few of the orb weaver crab spiders (strange looking beasties), they do construct an intricate web and are very fastidious about maintaining them. I watched one snip parts of the web to get a large leaf to fall from the middle of its web and then start reconstructing the missing parts. It would have made a nice post on the web but I only possess a "dumb" phone; not a smart one.

Thanks for the visit and your (always) kind words about my posts.

Larry