Yesterday I made a new friend,

A tiny spider on my left hand

That I'm sure found its way there quite accidently.

At first afraid, I said nothing,

Kept my hand still, hoping

It wasn't as afraid of me as of her I had been.

Then with courage I brought her close,

Saw her more clearly and in joy rose

And smiled at her instinctively like the fool I am.

Perhaps, that smile she understood

Or not, but she did move a foot

And I saw a mutual victory for us against

The pain of not recognizing kindness.

A wider smile followed happiness,

I assumed did for her too, but I knew the next

Step would be to move a little more.

To take her to the garden before

Of this maturing friendship she got scared again

And hurt me all the same—so

I raised my hand to the leaf of

The strongest tree that stood in my garden

And she walked out of my hand.

I said no goodbye except a sigh and

With a single tear returned back to my busy day.

Though today when I went back,

The old tree where I had left her at,

Was without the dear friend I had yesterday.