by Andy Brown
For the next two weeks, Poem of the Day is going to be presenting Andy Brown's 10-part poem, The Trust Territory. I think there's much to enjoy in each individual segment, and even more so when all ten pieces are put together. Also, at least some parts of it are especially suited to this time of year.
Please see after today's piece for information on where to find the poem in print.
If I tell you your love is a spider's web,
I mean that in its tensile sense --
the strongest substance known to man,
weight for weight tougher than steel.
'Web', I mean, in its tensile sense,
but also with a hint of home:
weight for weight tougher than steel,
a place for the creature to rest.
And with that hint of home,
a place that gathers morning dew;
a place for the creature to rest,
amazing a passing child's eye.
A thing that gathers morning dew,
my love, is a spider's web,
amazing a passing child's eye.
Please don't take offence -- I do not mean
your love is a spider's web
and I the struggling fly.
No, please don't take offence -- I do not mean
you are the spider who turns
on me, poor struggling fly.
If I tell you your love is a spider's web.
you are not -- repeat not -- the spider who turns
to feast on the head of her mate.
No, I mean... 'the strongest substance known to man.'
The Trust Territory was originally published as a poetry chapbook, now out of print. It's currently available in Fall of the Rebel Angels: Poems 1996-2006 (find the best prices online here). The versions posted here are taken from the latter. From the author's acknowledgements for that volume: "Many [poems in this collection] appear as they were first published in individual volumes, others have been edited over the years and it is these final versions I wish to preserve."
Andy Brown's latest book is Goose Music, co-authored with John Burnside.
Please see here for information on Poem of the Day and copyright.
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