(After Nikki Giovanni)

She asks me to kill the spider.

Instead. I get the most

peaceful weapon I can find.

I take a cup and a napkin.

I catch the spider, put it outside

and allow it to walk away.

If I am ever caught in the wrong place

at the wrong time, just being alive

and not bothering anyone,

I hope I am greeted

with the same kind

of mercy.