It is all very well
Said the garden spider
To talk of beauty
I can see that to you
This web of mine
Clustered with droplets
Of early morning dew
And sparkling in the
Bright morning sunlight
Is like a rare
And precious necklace
But to me
At this time of year
When the larder is low
I find it an ill reward
For all my hours
Of careful construction
And patient waiting
To find a web so
Soaked it is useless
Until it dries up
No breakfast for me chum
And I can't savour beauty
On an empty stomach.
Richard Stewart