Gods and Angels

Male jumping spiders rattle

feet like maracas to their mates.

Before the first flamenco dancer

twirled her tulip-ruby gown,

spiders sang over the dirt

decked with beetles sweet as dates.

Some heaven-threaded god

made arachnids in his image.

Adam named aphids

and each succulent beast by taste.

Still in Eden, they bundle

in dewy orgies, their climbing bonbons

pulsing rivers of silk,

catching moth angels whose wings clap

loaves of unleavened bread.

Eric Fisher Stone is a poet and writing tutor from Fort Worth, Texas. His poetry publications include three full length collections: The Providence of Grass, from Chatter House Press, Animal Joy, from WordTech Editions, and Bear Lexicon, from Clare Songbirds Publishing House.