Spiderlings

Obeying their genetic code

tiny spiderlings launch themselves

from the maternal nest, from their

safe place and out into the unknown.

They fly at the end of gossamer threads

putting their fate in autumn breezes or gales

to take them to a safe landing where

they can make their own home.

But there are dangers in this leap of faith.

Will they land on a nearby blade of grass

a leaf, or in a garden, a tree, on

some man-made structure far away?

Or will the fickle winds of fate take them

high into the sky, and even to other lands,

Or to a watery death in river, lake or sea?

Of the multitude, many will not survive.

But they must take that jump,

trust in their genetic programming,

developed over eons of time

which decrees many must die while

the rest ensure the survival of their kind.

© Linda Visman

31^st August 2024