tarantula arms
you are at work, it is a slow day
maybe you are writing letters
or trying to finish the last chapter of a book
your lover comes into the store
you are happy to see her
you embrace and kiss
the next few minutes are spent
talking about the weather
plans for the evening
you are feeling strangely detached
and would like nothing more
than to get back to your book
it is strange because the book is boring
and you are in love with the woman
nonetheless
when she sits on your knee
you tell her
that you would like her to sit
at arm's length
and then of course
you have to explain yourself
and it is not worth the bother
you do it anyway
and turn a nice situation
inside out
it is strange
and terrifying
how the tarantula arms of love
always find their way
to the heart
and then the throat
Copyright©michael dennis/South Western Ontario Poetry 1983
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